The Shri Ram School Aravali

Subject: History and Civics

Topic: Role of the Press
Class 10
The press played an important role:
 It spread the message of patriotism.
 It spread modern liberal ideals of liberty, freedom, and equality among the people.
 It criticized daily the unjust policy of the British Government in India and exposed
the true nature of British rule in India.
 It made the exchange of views possible among different social groups from different
parts of the country.
 It helped in organizing political movements.
 It made the Indians aware of what was happening in the world, and it helped them to
shape their own policies and programmes.
 In the second half of the nineteenth century, many English dailies came into being, such
as,’ The Times of India’, the’ Pioneer’, and the ‘Statesman’. These papers by and
large supported the policies of the Government in India. Yet they kept people
informed of rapid political developments in the country.
 The ‘Tribune’ started in Lahore and the ‘Hindu’ started in Madras fostering patriotism
and ideas of liberty and justice in India.
 Tilak through his writings in ‘Kesari’ and ‘Mahratta’ spread the gospel of freedom and
natural rights.