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What are the main provisions of the Press Acts enacted by

the British? Analyse the role played by them in prohibiting the
Indian press freedoms.

Dimension A
Literary works of the leaders was the source of information
empowerment of the masses during the fight for independence.
Indian press had played a major role in providing the true
information to the masses and make them understand the actual
instincts of British Rulers. In order to curb this literary tide, Britishers have
come up with various Press Acts and very less Acts for enabling the press
freedoms.

Dimension C: Role of these acts in prohibiting Indian press:

1. Some of the major information was censored overnight without
giving proper reasons.
2. The charges and deposits were high, rendering it difficult for
publishers.
3. Some publications had to change the medium of the paper
overnight in order to get rid of provisions of vernacular press act.
4. Differential subjugation to the laws and punishments for
Pro-British and Anti-British papers.
Various national leaders fought for the liberation of the press and
for more liberty. For Instance, Surendra Nath Banerjee fought for
press freedoms.

Dimension D: Conclusion:
Thus, the freedom of press varied in the British India based on
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British perception of India’s threat to their rule. However, the

intentions of British were largely to curb the propagation of Indian
newspapers than supporting them. The underlying idea was that it
was understood that, these were the weapons to spread
the freedom movement