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Mahatma gandhis views on journalism

Mahatma Gandhi was a staunch believer in the power of the word and wrote very
cautiously in his newspapers to mobilize public opinion. The subjects he chose to write
on were varied and variegated, which depicted his honesty, integrity and transparency,
touching the hearts of the readers cutting across generations and even nations. As M V
Kamath has aptly pointed out, he wrote in a manner that anybody could
understand. He was writing for Everyman so that Everyman could understand him
easily. He had no literary pretensions but what he wrote was literature.
Each time we put Gandhi behind us as a historical icon, he surprises everyone by
bouncing back with ever increasing relevance. Through his writings, especially his
autobiography My Experiments with Truth, Gandhi candidly disclosed his shortcomings,
his weaknesses, and his vulnerability like any other ordinary human being. The
difference lies in his overcoming his drawbacks through his indomitable will power and
continuous effort to evolve as a man of the millennium, winning over friends and foes by
his spontaneous flow of love and compassion. The impact of Gandhi can be discerned in
leaders and cultures, astonishingly diverse.
The following passages contain Mahatma Gandhis original writings on journalism:
In the very first month of Indian Opinion, I realized that the sole aim of journalism
should be service. The newspaper press is a great power, but just as an unchained
torrent of water submerges whole countryside and devastates crops, even so an
uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy. If the control is from without, it proves more
poisonous than want of control. It can be profitable only when exercised from within. If
this lice of reasoning is correct, how many of the journals in the world would stand the
test? But who would stop those that are useless? The useful and the useless must, like
good and evil generally, go on together, and man must make his choice (An
Autobiography or the Story of My Experiments with Truth, p. 211).
What should an editor do when something he has published displeases the Government
or is held to violate some law but is none the less true? Should he apologize? We should
say, certainly not. True, he is not bound to publish in such matter, but once it has been
published, the editor ought to accept responsibility for it (Indian Opinion, Gujarati
edition, April 23, 1919).
Indeed the journal (Indian Opinion) became for me a training in self restraint, and for
friends a medium through which to keep in touch with my thoughts. In fact the tone

of Indian Opinion compelled the critic to put a curb on his own pen.For me it became a
means for study of human nature in all its casts and shades.It made me thoroughly
understand the responsibility of a journalist (An Autobiography, p. 286).
The Journal Indian Opinion.was a powerful weapon in the armoury of Passive
Resistance and continues to be the only recorder of accurately sifted facts about our
countrymen in South Africa and of Passive Resistance movement. It is in no sense a
commercial enterprise (Letter to Mr. J. B. Petit, Secretary, South African Indian Fund,
June 16, 1915).
I have devoted to the continuance of Indian Opinion and the establishment of Phoenix all
my earnings during my last stay in South Africa that is nearly 5000 pounds (Letter to
Shri Gokhale, April 25, 1909).
We hope the readers of this journal Indian Opinion will read their lives (biographies of
great men and women of the world) and follow them in practice and thus encourage us.
We have suggested earlier, that each one of our subscribers should maintain a file
on Indian Opinion (The Indian Opinion, August 9, 1905).
The Indian Community in South Africa is a recognized factor in the body politic, and a
newspaper, voicing its feelings, and specially devoted to its cause, would hardly be
considered out of place: indeed, we think, it would supply along felt want.
It is within the knowledge of most of our readers that our publication is not a commercial
concern, but our capacity for the service of the community..(Indian Opinion, January 1,
1910).
We now feel that we should also discontinue the practice of publishing advertisements.
We believed then that advertisements were a good thing to have but on reflection we see
that the practice is wholly undesirable. Advertisements are inserted by people who are
impatient to get rich, in order that they may gain over their rivals. They are also much
in fashion these days that any and every kind of advertisement is published and paid
for. This is one of the sorriest features of modern civilization, and for our part we wish to
be rid of it. If however, we published non-commercial advertisements, which serve a
public purpose, free of charge, they would fill the entire number each time, so we shall
only accept them against payment. Other advertisements, we shall stop publishing
forthwith (Indian Opinion, September 4, 1912).
I believe that a struggle which chiefly relies upon internal strength cannot be wholly
carried on without a newspaperit is also my experience that we could not perhaps have
educated the local Indian community, nor kept Indians all over the world in touch with

the course of events in South Africa in any other way, with the same ease and success as
through the Indian Opinion, which therefore was certainly a most useful and potent
weapon in our struggle (M.K. Gandhi: Satyagraha in South Africa, Navjivan Publishing
House, Ahmedabad, 1950, p. 142).
To the English voters their newspaper is their Bible. They take their cue from
newspapers which are often dishonest. The same fact is differently interpreted by
different newspapers, according to the party in whose interests they are edited. Our
newspaper would consider a great Englishman to be a paragon of honesty, another would
consider him dishonest. What must be the condition of the people whose newspapers
are of this type? ..These people change their views frequently. It is said that they
change them every seven years. These views swing like the pendulum of a clock and are
never steadfast. The people would follow a powerful orator or a man who gives them
parties, receptions, etc. As are the people, so is their Parliament. They have certainly
one quality very strongly developed. They will never allow their country to be lost. If
any person were to cast an evil eye on it, they would pluck out his eyes. (Hind Swaraj,
p. 30 & 31).
I believe that an editor who has anything worth saying and who commands a clientele
cannot be easily hushed so long as his body is left free. He has delivered his finished
message as soon as he is put under duress. The Lokmanya spoke more eloquently from
the Mandalay fortress than through the columns of the printed Kesari..the restoration
of free speech, free association, and free press is almost the whole Swaraj (Young India,
October 6, 1921).
The editor of a daily newspaper when he begins writing his leading article does not weigh
his words in golden scales. He may be betrayed into a hasty word. Must he pay for it
even though he did it obviously in good faith without malice and in the public interest?
These libel actions are calculated to demoralize Indian Journalism and make public
criticism over-cautious and timid. I am no lover of irresponsible or unjustifiably strong
criticism. But the caution to be beneficial must come from within and not superimposed
from without (Young India, August 7, 1924).
I have taken up journalism not for its sake but merely as an aid to what I have conceived
to be my mission in life. My mission is to teach by example and precept under severe
restraint the use of the matchless weapon of satyagraha which is a direct corollary of
nonviolence and truth.To be true to my faith, therefore, I may not write in anger or
malice. I may not write idly. I may not write merely to excite passion. The reader can
have no idea of the restraint I have to exercise from week to week in the choice of topics

and my vocabulary. It is a training for me. It enables me to peep into myself and to
make discoveries of my weaknesses. Often my vanity dictates a smart expression or my
anger a harsh adjective. It is a terrible ordeal by a fine exercise to remove these weeds
(Young India, July 2, 1925, p. 232).
As for giving ideas, I have some originality. But writing is a bi-product; I write to
propagate my ideas. Journalism is not my profession (Harijan, August 18, 1946, p.
270).
What is really needed to make a democracy function is not the knowledge of facts, but
right education. And the true function of journalism is to educate the public mind, not to
stock the public mind with wanted and unwanted impressions. A journalist has,
therefore, to use his discretion, as to what to report and when. As it is, the journalists
are not content to stick to the facts alone. Journalism has become the art of intelligent
anticipation of events (M K Gandhi, See Tendulkar: Mahatma, ed. 1953, p. 247).
We must devise methods of circulating our ideas unless and until the whole press
becomes fearless, defies consequences and publishers ideas, even when it is in
disagreement with them, just for the purpose of securing that freedom. An editor with
an original idea or an effective prescription for Indias ills can easily write them out, a
hundred hands can copy them, many more can read them out to thousands of listeners.
I do hope, therefore, that Non-cooperation editors, at any rate, will not refrain from
expressing their thoughts for fear of the Press Act. They should regard it as sinful to
keep their thoughts secreta waste of energy to conduct a newspaper that cramps their
thoughts. It is negation of ones calling for an editor to have to suppress his best
thoughts. (M K Gandhi, See S. Natarajan: A History of the Press of India, Asia Publishing
House, Bombay, 1962, p. 195).
The weekly Indian Opinion was launched by Gandhi in four languages in June, 1903.
For him, the single aim of Journalism was service of truth. It was printed at the farm,
where Settlers learnt all aspects of press-work, and hand power was preferred to
mechanical power.
Source: Anasakti Darshan, Vol. 4, No. 1, January-June 2008s

Mahatma Gandhi and mass media


Today, when the contemporary media scenario bristles with unheard of turmoilinvestigative journalism- through all means fair and foul; over-riding role of market
forces in the media wherein the "advertorial" and "response" and "response features"
edge out editorials, and when the media is trying to project the celebrities and models as

the icons of modern society, it would be worth while to revisit Mahatma Gandhi's
philosophy and canon of journalism and his contribution as a journalist.
According to Chalapathi Raju, himself an eminent editor, Gandhi was probably the
greatest journalist of all time, and the weeklies he ran and edited were probably the
greatest weeklies the world has known. He published no advertisement; at the same
time he did not want his newspapers to run at a loss. He had gained considerable
experience in South Africa, where he had taken over in1904 the editorship of the 'Indian
Opinion' and published it in English, Tamil and Gujarati, sometimes running the press
himself.
'Young India' and 'Harijan' became powerful vehicles of his views on all subjects. He
wrote on all subjects. He wrote simply and clearly but forcefully, with passion and
burning indignation. One of the objects of a newspaper, he said. is to understand the
popular feeling and give expression to it; another is to arouse among the people certain
desirable sentiments, and the third is fearlessly to expose popular defects.
Gandhi's papers published no advertisements. They enjoyed wide circulation. His
approach to journalism was totally devoid of ambitions. To him it was not a vocation to
earn his livelihood; it was a means to serve the public. In the 'Young India' of 2 July
1925, he wrote: "I have taken up journalism not for its sake but merely as an aid to
what I have conceived to be my mission in life. My mission is to teach by example and
present under severe restraint the use of the matchless weapon of satyagraha which is a
direct corollary of nonviolence."
Gandhi looked upon journalism as a means to serve the people. He said in his
autobiography: "The sole aim of journalism should be service. The newspaper is a great
power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges whole countryside and
devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy. If the control is
from without, it proves more poisonous than want of control. It can be profitable only
when exercised from within. If this line of reasoning is correct, how many journals of the
world would stand the test? But who would stop those that are useless? and who should
be the judge? The useful and the useless must, like good and evil. go on together, and
man must make his choice.

Gandhi- The Great Communicator and Journalist


Apart from being a national leader and social reformer, Gandhi was a great
communicator. More than any one else, he recognized that communication is the most

effective tool to shape opinion and mobilize popular support. He was successful because
he had a latent skill in communication that surfaced in South Africa where he had gone
initially to set up practice as a lawyer. The practice of communication started by him in
South Africa gave him the clue to rally millions of his countrymen when he returned to
India.
Gandhi was associated with six journals, for two of which he was the editor. His first
paper, 'Indian Opinion' was started in South Africa. In order to ventilate the grievances
of Indians and mobilize public opinion in their favour, Gandhi started writing and giving
interviews to newspapers ,He focused on open letters and Letters to Editor, but soon
realized that occasional writings and the hospitality of newspapers were inadequate for
the political campaign he had launched. He needed a mouthpiece to reach out to the
people; so in June 1903 he launched Indian Opinion. It served the purpose of a weekly
newsletter which disseminated the news of the week among the Indian community. It
became an important instrument of education. Through the columns of the newspaper
Gandhi tried to educate the readers about sanitation, self-discipline and good citizenship.
How important the journal was to Gandhi is seen from his own statement in his
biography, My Experiments with Truth:
'Indian Opinion... was a part of my life. Week after week I poured out my soul in its
columns and expounded the principles and practice of satyagraha as I understood it.
During 10 years, that is until 1914, excepting the intervals of my enforced rest in prison
there was hardly an issue of 'Indian Opinion' without an article from me. I cannot recall a
word in these articles set down without thought or deliberation or word of conscious
exaggeration, or anything merely to please. Indeed the journal became for me a training
in self restraint and for friends a medium through which to keep in touch with my
thoughts."
The critics found very little to which they could object. In fact, the tone of 'Indian
Opinion' compelled the critics to put a curb on his palm.
Gandhi launched Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act and the massacre in Jallianwala
Bagh. He learnt in South Africa how important the press and public opinion could be in
politics and had taught himself how to use the written word most effectively.
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS A PRECIOUS PRIVILEGE THAT NO
COUNTRY CAN FORGO.
- M. K. Gandhi

The two journals 'Young India' and 'Navjivan' were used by him to ventilate his views and
to educated the public on Satyagraha . In 1933 Gandhi started 'Harijan', 'Harijanbandhu',
'Harijansevak' in English, Gujarati and Hindi, respectively. These newspapers were the
vehicles of his crusade against untouchability and poverty in rural areas. These papers
published no advertisements even then they enjoyed wide circulation. His note of
defiance and sacrifice gave a new stimulus to the evolution of press as a weapon of
satyagraha.

Gandhi and Role of Newspapers


It will be pertinent to point out as to what Mahatma Gandhi considered to be the role of
newspapers. He wrote: In my humble opinion, it is wrong to use a newspaper as a
means of earning a living. There are certain spheres of work which are of such
consequence and have such bearing on public welfare that to undertake them for earning
one's livelihood will defeat the primary aim behind them. When, further a newspaper is
treated as a means of making profits, the result is likely to be serious malpractices. It is
not necessary to prove to those who have some experience of journalism that such
malpractices do prevail on a large scale. He was of the opinion, 'Newspapers are meant
primarily to educate the people. They make the latter familiar with contemporary history.
This is a work of no mean responsibility. It is a fact, however, that readers cannot always
trust newspapers. Often facts are found to be quite the opposite of what has been
reported. If newspapers realized that it was their duty to educate the people, they could
not but wait to check a report before publishing it. It is true that often they have to work
under difficult conditions. They have to sift the true from the false in a short time and
can only guess at the truth. Even then, I am of the opinion that it is better not to publish
a report at all if it ahs not been found possible to verify it.'
The eminent journalist and freedom fighter Salien Chatterjee who covered Mahatma
Gandhi, his actions and programmes for a number of years died a few months back. In
an article, 'Reporting Mahatma', he had written for the special issue of Vidura on, Gandhi
as a Journalist, (Jan-March, 1998) he said:
"I joined journalism in 1942. Reporting Mahatma Gandhi and my tours with him were the
best and most memorable period of my journalistic career. Gandhi himself was a
journalist. During my tours with him, he often told me how he worked day and night to
produce his journal 'Indian Opinion' in Natal, South Africa. He described 'Indian Opinion'
as the most useful weapon in his struggle in South Africa. He always stressed the
importance of newspapers in educating the people. Gandhi always believed and always

emphasized that the sole aim of journalism should be service, service of the people and
the country.
In 'Young India' Gandhi once gave a glimpse of the exacting code he ad set up for
himself. "To be true to my faith, I may not write in anger or malice. I may not write idly.
I may not write merely to excite passion. The reader can have no idea of the restraint I
have to exercise from week to week in the choice of topics and my vocabulary. It is
training for me. It enables me to peek into myself and to make discoveries of my
weaknesses. Often my vanity dictates a smart expression or my anger a harsh adjective.
It is a terrible ordeal but a fine exercise to remove these weeds."

Gandhi's canons of Journalism


Gandhi had been frequently writing on various aspects of journalism. To him editorial
independence, adherence to truth and self-restraints were the three over riding
considerations for journalism. In his message for the editor of the newspaper, 'The
Independence', on 30 January 1919, he wrote: In wishing you success in your new
enterprise, I would like to say how I hope your writings would be worthy of the title you
have chosen for your journal; and may I further hope that to a robust of independence
you will add an equal measure of self-restraint and the strictest adherence to truth? Too
often in our journals as in others do we get fiction instead of fact and declamation in
place of sober reasoning. You would make 'The Independence' a power in the land and a
means of education for the people by avoiding the errors I have drawn attention to.

Newspapers and Advertising


On receiving Advertisement support for running a newspaper Mahatma Gandhi wrote: It
is now an established practice with newspapers to depend for revenues mainly on
advertisements rather than on subscriptions. The result has been deplorable. The very
newspaper which writes against the drink evil publishes advertisements in praise of
drinks. In the same issue, we read of the harmful effects of tobacco as also from where
to but it. Or we shall find the same issue of a paper carrying a long advertisement for a
certain play and denouncing that play as well. Medical advertisements are the largest
source of revenue though they have done, and are still doing incalculable harm to the
people. These medical advertisements almost wholly offset the services rendered by the
newspapers. I have been eyewitness to the harm done by them. Many people are lured

into buying harmful medicines. Many of these promote immorality. Such advertisements
find a place even in papers run to further the cause of religion. This practice has come
entirely from the West. No matter at what cost or effort we must put an end to this
undesirable practice or at least reform. It is the duty of every newspaper to exercise
some restraint in the matter of advertisements.
THE SOLE AIM OF JOURNALISM SHOULD BE SERVICE.- M. K. Gandhi
Today, when there is widespread concern over the growing influence of market forces on
media, and regret over journalism being no longer a social service, Gandhi's views on
values of journalism bring to bear on the profession of journalism the force of ethics and
morality. In this context he had said, 'It is often observed that newspapers published any
matter that they have, just to fill in space. The reason is that most newspapers have
their eyes on profits...... There are newspapers in the west which are so full of trash that
it will be a sin even to touch them. At times, they produce bitterness and strife even
between different families and communities. Thus, newspapers cannot escape criticism
merely because they serve the people.'
THE TRUE FUNCTION OF JOURNALISM IS TO EDUCATE THE
PUBLIC MIND, NOT TO STOCK IT WITH WANTED AND
UNWANTED IMPRESSIONS.
M. K. Gandhi

Gandhi and Radio


The first and only time Gandhi visited the Broadcasting house, Delhi was on 12
November,1947, the Diwali Day. He arrived at the Broadcasting House accompanied by
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. A report on this event published in the issue of' 'The Indian
Listener' of 22 February,1948, after Gandhi's death, said: "A special studio was fitted
with the 'takhposh' (low wooden settee) which was daily used by him for his prayer
meeting addresses at Birla House, Appropriately, the prayer meeting atmosphere was
created in the studio....... Gandhi was at first shy of the radio and it was after much
persuasion that he agreed to broadcast from the studios of AIR........ but the moment he
reached the studio he owned this impersonal instrument as his own and said: "This is a
miraculous power. I see 'shakti', the miraculous power of God". According to the
'Hindustan Times' of 13th November, "He spoke for 20 minutes and his voice was
exceptionally clear. His message was followed by recorded music of Vande Materam"

The news of Gandhi's assassination on the evening of January 30, which had spread like
wild fire in Delhi was flashed by foreign correspondents and news agencies all over the
world within minutes. That evening at 8-30 p.m. Prime Minister, Nehru whom Gandhi had
called his heir in the freedom struggle, broadcast from the Delhi station a very moving
talk which began with the oft quoted words: "A light has gone out of our lives". Others
who broadcast later were Sardar Patel, Sarojini Naidu and numerous leaders and
prominent personalities from all walks of life. Lord Mountbatten came to the Delhi station
on 12 February to pay his homage in a broadcast talk.
On the day of the funeral, Melville De Mellow gave the marathon, almost ten hour long
commentary, which in its moving description of the crowds and the procession as it
inched its way with millions of people lining the route to the place chosen for the last
rites on the bank of the river Yamuna, seemed to articulate the whole nation's grief and
homage. It was a classic of broadcasting at its best, and established De Mellow's fame as
an outstanding commentator. It was De Mellow who described the last anguished
moments of the funeral ceremony before returning to the studios.
THE NEWSPAPERS SHOULD BE READ FOR THE STUDY OF FACTS.
THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO KILL THE HABIT OF
INDEPENDENT THINKING.
M. K. Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi's speech during his visit to 'The Hindu' sums up his philosophy and
vision of journalism: I have, therefore, never been tired of reiterating to journalists whim
I know that journalism should never be prostituted for selfish ends or for the sake of
merely earning a livelihood or, worse still, for amassing money. Journalism, to be useful
and serviceable to the country, will take its definite, its best for the service of the country
and, whatever happens the views of the country irrespective of consequences. I think
that we have in our midst the making of newspapers which can do so.
Let us be clear in our minds that-to confine Gandhi to India and to view him as merely
the great Indian national leader is to diminish his greatness and personality. Gandhi
belonged to the whole world, the humanity at large. The Time magazine, while
chronicling the sweeping forces and great events of the 20th century- catalogued Gandhi
as one of the greatest activists-who fought for change from outside the traditional halls
of power, who was bound to an abstract vision for which he would pay any price was life.
The world that revered few men had revered Gandhi. Although Gandhi died believing his

lone voice was unheard- he was mistaken; the power of his message would endure to
move men and nations for all times to come.
[The author is Former Professor and Course Director, Haryana Agricultural University and
Former Country Representative Asian Media Information Centre (AMIC), Singapore.
He can be accessed at e-mail: rahulgupta@vsnl.com].
Source: Employment News, Dated -29 September-5 October 2001, Vol. XXVI

Mahatma Gandhi on Journalists and Journalism some excerpts


from his writings*
My Writings
My hesitancy in speech, which was once an annoyance, is now a pleasure. Its greatest benefit has been that it
has taught me the economy of words. I have naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts. And I can now
give myself the certificate that a thoughtless word hardly ever escapes my tongue or pen. I do not recollect ever
having had to regret anything in my speech or writings. I have thus, been spared many a mishap and waste of time.
In the very first month of Indian Opinion, I realized that the sole aim of journalism should be service. The
newspaper press is a great power, but just as an unchained torrent of water submerges whole country sides and
devastates crops, even so an uncontrolled pen serves but to destroy. If the control is from without, it proves more
poisonous than want of control. It can be profitable only when exercised from within. If this line of reasoning is
correct, how many of the journals of the world stand the test? But who would stop those that are useless? The useful
and the useless must, like good and evil generally, go on together and man must make his choice.
There can be no room for untruth in my writings, because it is my unshakable belief that there is no religion
other than truth and because I am capable of rejecting thought obtained at the cost of truth.
My writings cannot but be free from hatred towards any individual because it is my firm belief that it is love
that sustains the earth.

My Journalism
I have taken up journalism not for its sake but merely as an aid to what I have conceived to be my mission in
life. My mission is to teach by example and precept under severe restraint the use of the matchless weapon of
Satyagraha, which is a direct corollary of non-violence and truth... To be true to my faith therefore, I may not write
in anger or malice. I may not write idly. I may not write merely to excite passion.
The reader can have no idea of the restraint I have to exercise from week to week in the choice of topics and my
vocabulary. It is a training for me. It enables me to peep into myself and to make discoveries of my weaknesses.
Often my vanity dictates a smart expression or my anger a harsh adjective. It is a terrible ordeal but a fine exercise to
remove these weeds.
I write just as the spirit moves me at the time of writing. I do not claim to know definitely that all conscious
thought and action on my part are directed by the Spirit. But, on an examination of the greatest steps that I have
taken in my life, as also of those that may be regarded as the least I think it will not be improper to say that all of
them were directed by the Spirit.
As for giving ideas, I have some originality. But writing is a by product; I write to propagate my ideas.
Journalism is not my profession.
What I have done will endure, not what I have said or written.

Journalism

The true function of journalism is to educate the public mind, not to stock the public mind with wanted and
unwanted impressions.
A journalist has, therefore, to use his discretion as to what to report and when. As it is, journalists are not
content to stick to facts alone. Journalism has become the art of intelligent anticipation of events.

Modern Journalism
The superficiality, the one-sidedness, the inaccuracy and often, even, dishonesty that have crept into modern
journalism continuously mislead honest men who want to see nothing but justice done.
I have before me extracts from journals containing some gruesome things. There is communal incitement, gross
misrepresentation and incitement to political violence bordering on murder. It is, of course, esay enough for the
government to launch out prosecutions or pass repressive ordinances. These fail to serve the purpose intended except
very temporarily, and in no case do they convert the writers, who often take to secret propaganda, when the open
forum of the Press is denied to them.
The real remedy is healthy public opinion that will refuse to patronize poisonous journals... Freedom of the
Press is a precious privilege that no country can forgo.
But if there is, as there should be, no legislative check save of the mildest character, an internal check, such as I
have suggested, should not be impossible and ought not to be resented.

Advertisements
I hold that it is wrong to conduct newspapers by the aid of...immoral advertisements. I do believe that, if
advertisements should be taken at all, there should be rigid censorship instituted by newspaper proprietors and
editors themselves and that only healthy advertisements should be taken.
The evil of immoral advertisements is overtaking even what are known as the most respectable newspapers and
magazines. That evil has to be combated by refining the conscience of the newspaper proprietors and editors. That
refinement cannot come through the influence of an amateur editor like myself, but it will come when their own
conscience is roused to recognition of the growing evil or when it is superimposed upon them by a government
representing the people and caring for the people's morals.

Newspapers and Truth


In the East as in the West, newspapers are fast becoming the people's Bible, Koran, Zend Avesta and the
Bhagawad Gita, rolled into one. All that appears in the papers is looked upon as God's truth.
I deprecate the habit of borrowing opinions from newspapers. Newspapers should be for the study of facts.
They should not be allowed to kill the habit of independent thinking. I hold it to be the duty of newspapermen to
give nothing but facts to their readers.

Power of the Press


The Press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely a power; but to misuse that power is criminal. I am a
journalist myself and shall appeal to fellow journalists to realize their responsibility and to carry on their work with
no idea other than that of upholding the truth.
Newspapers are a powerful influence. It is the duty of the editors to see that no false report or report likely to
excite the public is published in their newspapers...
The editors and their assistants have to be extra careful about the news they give and the manner in which they
dress it.
In a state of independence, it is practically impossible for the governments to control the Press. It is the duty of
the public to keep a strict watch on the newspapers and to keep them on the right path . An enlightened public will
refuse to patronize inflammatory or indecent newspapers.
For them, (the people) the printed sheet is Gospel truth. The fact throws a great responsibility on the editors and
news writers.
I myself never swear by newspaper reports and will warn readers of newspapers not to be easily affected by
stories reported therein. Not even the best of them are free from exaggeration and embellishment.

*Source : The book, The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi edited by : Sarvashri R.K. Prabhu & U.R. Rao and published by Navajivan
Publishing House, Ahmedabad-14

Peerless Communicator
(Gandhi's genius as a journalist was and still is unmatched. He realized early on that to
reach people and motivate them newspapers were the most important medium. He
started his journalistic career in South Africa where his articles forced the white racist
regime to change laws which were grossly unfair. Gandhi himself has admitted that his
writings in South Africa helped him in developing the technique of Satyagraha. He was
very careful about what he wrote and was conscious of the fact that it would be read by
many. Every word he wrote was well thought out as Gandhi believed that a journalist has
a great responsibility and should never write untruth nor mislead people.)

As a journalist, Gandhi could have taught a few lessons in mass


communication. An effective communicator, fearless and eloquent with his
words, he reached out to millions of people and convinced them of his
cause. Mahatma Gandhi took to journalism as his most potent weapon of
satyagraha.
Mahatma Gandhi was the most effective mass medium of the 20th century. His
journalism belonged to an era when there was neither radio nor television. Such was the
power of his 'soul communication' that whatever he said and wrote reached the farthest
corners of this country within days and to the entire world thereon.
Mahatma Gandhi, in a journalistic career spanning nearly four decades, edited six
journals. None, including Harijan and Navajivan, could boast a circulation of more than a
few thousand copies. But such was Gandhi's grasp of the basics of mass communication
that he ensured that his daily "outpourings of heart and soul" reached all.
If one were to ask the question as to who came first--Gandhi-the-freedom-fighter or
Gandhi-the-media-crusader--the truth would be that Gandhi-the-journalist pre-dated
Gandhi the freedom fighter by at least 20 years. In less than a few months' stay in South
Africa, Gandhi realised the need to become a journalist to fight for the rights of the
Indian community. And he brought the highest qualities the profession could boast of-courage in the face of adversity, unswerving adherence to truth, pursuit of public causes,
and objectivity in presentation.

His letters to the editors of South African dailies are a lesson to all journalists on how to
fight injustice in a country where the laws are loaded against one section of the people,
without giving offence to the rulers themselves.
A telling example of this trait was his letter dated October 25, 1894 to the Times of
Natal, which carried a contemptuously worded editorial titled, 'Rammysammy'. Gandhi
wrote: "You would not allow the Indian or the native the precious privilege (of voting)
under any circumstances, because they have a dark skin. You would look the exterior
only. So long as the skin is white it would not matter to you whether it conceals beneath
it poison or nectar. To you the lip-prayer of the Pharisee, because he is one, is more
acceptable than the sincere repentance of the publican, and this, I presume, you would
call Christianity. You may; it is not Christ's. Sir, may I venture to offer a suggestion? Will
you re-read your New Testament? Will you ponder over your attitude towards the
coloured population of the Colony?. Will you then say you can reconcile it with the Bible
teachings or the best British traditions? If you have washed your hands clean of both
Christ and the British tradition, I can have nothing to say; I gladly withdraw what I have
written. Only it will then be a sad day for British and for India if you have many
followers."
After 10 years of relentless crusade, Gandhi realised that the twin tasks of mobilizing
public opinion and influencing official decisions required a regular newspaper. Thus was
born Indian Opinion in June 1903. He was clear about the nature and content of his
newspaper. It would not carry any advertisements nor try to make money. Instead, he
sought subscribers who would give donations.
It was while writing in Indian Opinion that Gandhi stumbled on the concept of
satyagraha. Writing on satyagraha in South Africa, he said: "Indian Opinion was certainly
a most useful and potent weapon in our struggle."
The journal was to Gandhi "a mirror of his own life". In My Experiments with Truth, he
wrote: "Week after week I poured out my soul in its columns and expounded the
principles and practice of satyagraha as I understood it. I cannot recall a word in these
articles set down without thought or deliberation or a word of conscious exaggeration, or
anything merely to please. Indeed, the journal became for me a training in self-restraint
and for friends a medium through which to keep in touch with my thoughts."
Indian Opinion lasted for 11 years. It more or less forced the South African provincial
regimes to modify their repressive laws against Indians.

One day Gandhi got a call from Bihar where the Indigo farmers of Champaran were
subjected to the same kind of indignity and exploitation as the indentured labourers in
South Africa. He promptly went there and investigated the issues, and produced a report
that would be the envy of the greatest investigative journalist anywhere in the world.
After Champaran it was only a matter of time before the Mahatma took to journalism as
his most potent weapon of satyagraha. As coincidence would have it, Gandhi was
persuaded to take over the editorship of Young India. Simultaneously, he started to edit
and write in Navajivan, then a Gujarati monthly, Gandhi's writings in it were translated
and published in all the Indian language newspapers. Later Navajivan was published in
Hindi, as Gandhi was convinced that Hindi would be the national language of free India.
The Mahatma's crusade for the repeal of the Press Act of 1910 was a unique piece of
journalism. He was telling the rulers that it was in the best interests of the government
to repeal the law.
Issue after issue of Young India and Navajivan carried samples of the Mahatma's
journalistic genius which blended seemingly earnest appeals to the government to do
what was "just and righteous". In South Africa his writings often made the white racists
look ridiculous: "The white barber refused to cut my black hair", extending colour
prejudice to not only non-Christian skin but non-Christian hair as well.
In March 1922, Gandhi was charged with spreading disaffection by writing seditious
articles in Young India. In his own inimitable manner Gandhi said: "I hold it to be a virtue
to be disaffected towards a government, which in its totality has done more harm to
India than any previous system. India is less manly under the British rule than she ever
was before. Holding such a belief, I consider it to be a sin to have affection for the
system."
The burden of leading a nation towards freedom and the contingency of having to face
trials followed by jail terms, did not stem the flow of writings from Gandhi's pen. There
was not a day when he was not writing on some issue or the other in Young India and
Navajivan. To these he added Harijan, Harijan Sevak, and Harijan Bandu, which became
the Mahatma's potent media for carrying his message to the weakest sections of India.
Young India and Navajivan folded up in January 1932 when Gandhi was imprisoned for a
long spell.
Between 1933 and 1940, Harijan (English), Harijan Bandu (Gujarati) and Harijan Sevak
(Hindi) became the Mahatma's voice to the people of India. These newspapers found the
Mahatma concentrating on social and economic problems. Caste disparities and such

instruments of social deprivation as untouchability and ostracisation were the targets of


the Mahatma's crusade.
Gandhi's assessment of the newspapers of the day was not complimentary. He found
them commercial, afraid of the government and not truthful in reporting. His last word
on the Indian newspapers came at a prayer meeting in Delhi on June 19, 1946. He said:
"If I were appointed dictator for a day in the place of the Viceroy, I would stop all
newspapers." He paused and added with a mischievous wink: "With the exception of
Harijan, of course."
[Source: Life Positive Plus , Oct-Dec 2002]

Journalism-Mahatma Gandhi
"I have taken up journalism." writes the
Mahatma Gandhi in YOUNG INDIA, "Not for its
sake, but merely as an aid to what I have
conceived to be my mission in life. My mission
is to teach by example and precept under
severe restraint ...the use of the matchless
weapon of Satyagraha (soul-force), which is a
direct corollary of non-violence and truth. I am
anxious, indeed I am impatient, to demonstrate
that there is no remedy for the many ills of life
...save that of non-violence. It is a solvent
strong enough to melt the stoniest heart. To be

true to my faith, therefore, I may not write in


anger or malice. The reader can have no idea of
the restraint I have to exercise from week to
week ....in the choice of topics and my
vocabulary. It is a training for me. It enables me
to peep into myself and make discoveries of my
weakness. Often my vanity dictates a smart
expression ...or my anger a harsh adjective. It is
a terrible ordeal, but a fine exercise ....to
remove these weeds. The reader sees the page
of YOUNG INDIA fairly well dressed-up and
sometimes (with Romain Rolland), he is inclined
to say 'what a fine old man this must be.' Well
let the world understand ....that the fineness is
carefully and prayerfully cultivated. And if it has
proved acceptable to some (whose opinion I
cherish), let the reader understand that when
that fineness has become perfectly natural, i.e.,
when I have become incapable of evil and when

nothing harsh or haughty occupies, be it


momentarily, my thought-world, then and not
till then, my non-violence will move all the
hearts of all the world. I have placed before me
and the reader no impossible ideal or ordeal. It
is man's prerogative and birth-right. We have
lost the paradise ....only to regain it. If it takes
time, then it is but a speck in the complete
time-circle."
Lokmanya Tilak: The Icon of Fearless and
Idel Journalism
Introduction
When India was under the control of the British, few jewels were born in this country,
who always worried for the upliftment of this country and sacrificed their body, mind,
wealth and soul for the welfare of this country. One of these magnificent, shining jewels
is Lokmanya Tilak. Tilak is famous for his multi-faceted personality as a philosopher, a
mathematician, promoter of Dharma and a legal expert. It is the death anniversary of
this principled and unrelenting personality today who was conferred the title of
Lokmanya. The tough and fiery journalism of Lokmanya Tilak was instrumental in
initiating the movement during pre-independence period for bringing about change in
the mental setup of the people. After the independence, even now, there is a need to take
up similar movement to bring about change among the people at psychological level

and the very purpose of this article to create such awareness among the journalists and
citizens of this country.

Education of Lokmanya Tilak


Lokmanya Tilak was born at Ratnagiri. He passed Matric examination in the year 1873
and took admission in Deccan College at Pune. In the year 1876, he passed the
graduation (B.A.) examination securing first class. He was known as a sharp-witted
student. After BA, he studied law and passed LL.B. examination in the year 1879.
Purpose of Tilaks journalism: Tilak and Agarkar, the two friends completed their
education and felt that they should do something in education field for upliftment of
their motherland. Their efforts started under the leadership of Vishnu shastri
Chiplunkar and on the 1st January 1880, New English School was set up. The many
things that Tilak had planned to take up as service unto the nation, starting a school was
just one of them. His idea of service in education field was very expansive and noble.
The idea of creating awareness among the people, take them to a new era creating new
hopes among them and their implementation started taking root in his mind. As a part
of this mission, he decided to start two newspapers, Kesari in Marathi and Maratha in
English.

The characteristics of Lokmanya Tilaks journalism

The rare picture of Lokmanya Tilak

Tilak had explained about the nature of Kesari as Kesari will fearlessly and
impartially discuss all problems. The increasing mentality of appeasing the British is not

in the interest of this country. The articles published in Kesari will be apt for its
name Kesari (lion).

Torture he had to go through for his principle of fearless journalism


Tilak came to know that the British Government was repressing the Maharaj of
Kolhapur through his manager Shri. Barwe. An article was then published in Kesari
alleging that Barwe was plotting conspiracy against Maharaj. Shri. Barwe filed a case
against Kesari for such accusation. Tilak and Agarkar were sentenced to 4 months
imprisonment. After this first sentence, Tilak started feeling the need to take part in
political activities and he left the prison with certain resolve. He opted for politics and
started working as the Editor of Kesari and Maratha.

To ably point out the shortcomings in administration


In the year 1896-97, there was a severe famine in Maharashtra and people had no food
to eat. Tilak wrote an article in Kesari and brought it to the notice of the British
Government what were its duties under the Famine Relief Code. He also warned the
officers who were trying to throttle the rights of the citizens and made an appeal to the
people to fight for justice. Tilak showed how effectively one can serve the people,
remaining within the frame of law.

Journalism putting forth rational thoughts


By then, Namdar Gokhale had started to present his views that the movement started by
the Congress should be as per the charter. Lokmanya, however, did not agree with his
views. In an article Sanadshir or Kayadeshir (As per the charter or legal), he refuted
Gokhales views as follows Britain has not set any charter of rights to Hindustan,
therefore, it would be ridiculous to say that the movement should be conducted as per
the Charter. Hindustan is governed as per the laws made by the British. The question,
therefore, remains is whether the movement is legal or not. When there is alienation of
law and morals, if need be, one should break the laws to follow the morals and quietly
accept whatever punishment is given for the same.

Journalism exposing suppression by the Government


The Government was waiting for an opportunity to quash the Jahal (fierce) movement
and it got such opportunity due to an incident which took place at Muzaffarpur.
Khudiram Bose, a young revolutionary threw a bomb on an English officer but it missed
the target and fell on the car in which two English women were travelling; killing them
in the blast. The Government was enraged. In his editorial published in Kesari, Tilak
expressed his dislike towards such terrorist activities but argued that Governments

suppression policy was responsible for building up such radical attitude. Five very
strong articles against the Government were published in Kesari in connection with the
bomb blast and Lokmanya was arrested on 24th June 1908 for sedition.

Tilak believed in journalism as a right to form public opinion


Lokmanya argued in the Court for 21 hours and 10 minutes against the charges of
treason leveled against him. He clarified that the newspapers have a right to form public
opinion and it is the duty of a newspaper to bring to the notice of the Government the
nature of powers created in the political life of a country and warn against such powers
and he argued that he had not committed treason.

Tilaks journalism based in his belief in God


The speech given by Tilak in the High Court was not an intellectual exercise to protect
self but it showed his extra-ordinary qualities like his rationality in thinking, deep study
of law, his love for the nation and his readiness to go through any punishment for his
principles. All those who heard him pleading his case, experienced his nobility. Tilak
was
extremely
calm
at
that
time.
He was looking at his future with the stance of an observer. As the jury declared him
guilty, Judge Davar asked Tilak whether he wanted to say something. Tilak got up and
said, I am not an offender or guilty let the jury decide anything. There is a supreme
power than this Court which controls worldly matters. It could be Gods wish that I get
punishment so as to boost the mission that I have undertaken.
His philosophy towards life was like his philosophy towards politics. He believed in
unarmed movement along with armed revolution. We offer our humble regards to this
principled leader who had firm belief in his ideals and who fought for his country
throughout his life till his last breath !

Views of Lokmanya Tilak published in the weekly periodical Kesari


advocating that the strength of peoples opinion is in their resolve!
It is the duty of the leaders to create awareness among people and help to form their
opinion. If, however, the Government tramples such awakened opinion of the citizens,
what is the use of such awareness? How the sea-waves hit a mountain near its coast and
return with same force, so is the condition of opinion of our people. One has to hold
ones nose to open mouth and if we are not going to do anything that would be disliked
by the Government, the suppression will never end. The Government is humiliating

peoples opinion like blades of grass. These blades of grass should be united to form a
strong rope. Hundreds and thousands of people should connect with the same resolve as
the strength of peoples opinion is not just in collection but in their resolve.
Ref: Kesari, 15th August 1905).

Ganesh Shankar vidyarthi


Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was born in 1890 and met his death in 1931, while trying
to pacify a riotous mob. His short life was one constant struggle against oppression
and inhumanity. He described himself in these words "I am a fighter against
oppression and injustice, whether practiced by bureaucracy, zamindars, capitalists or
high caste. I have fought all my life against oppression an inhumanity and may God
give me strength to fight on till the last.". Ganesh Shankar was born at Allahabad and
his father Shri Jai Narain was a teacher in a middle school in Madhya Pradesh. He
was poor but deeply religious and dedicated to high ideals. It was under him that
Ganesh Shankar received his early schooling and passed the High School examination
privately in 1907. He could not study further due to poverty and became a clerk in the
currency office and later a teacher in high school in Kanpur. His real interest,
however, was in journalism and public life and he came early under the influence of
the nationalist upsurge, which was taking place in the country. He became an agent of
the well-known revolutionary Hindi and Urdu journals - Karamyogi and Swarjya and
also began to contribute to them. He adopted the penname 'Vidyarthi' - the seeker of
knowledge. He attracted the notice of Pt. Mahabir Prasad Dwiwedi, the doyen of
Hindi journalism who offered him the job of a sub - editor in his famous literary
monthly, "The Saraswati", in 1911. Ganesh Shankar, however, was more interested i
current affairs and politics and therefore joined the Hindi weakly "Abhyudaya" a
political journal of the time. he thus served his apprenticeship under two of the
greatest figures in Hindi literature and journalism. In 1913 Ganesh Shankar came back
to Kanpur and launched his career of a crusading journalist and freedom fighter,
which was only to end with his death 18 years later. He founded PRATAP, his famous
revolutionary weakly, which identified itself with the cause of the oppressed wherever
they might be. It was through this paper that he waged his famous fights for the
oppressed peasants of Rae Bareli, the workers of the Kanpur mills and the

downtrodden people of Indian States. During the course of these fights he had to face
numerous prosecutions, pay heavy fines and suffer five prison sentences. He first met
Gandhiji in 1916 in Lucknow and threw himself whole-heartedly in the national
movement. He took a leading part in the Home Rule Movement of 1917-18 and led
the first strike of textile workers in Kanpur. In 1920 he launched the daily edition of
PRATAP and it was in this year that he was sentenced to two years rigorous
imprisonment for championing the cause of peasants of Rae Bareli. He was released
in 1922 and almost immediately sent to jail again, for delivering a "seditious" speech
as the President of the Provincial Political Conference at Fatehgarh. He was released
in 1924, greatly shattered in health, but he knew no respite and immediately launched
himself in the preparation for the Congress Session at Kanpur in 1925. In 1925, when
the Congress decided to contest elections of Provincial Legislative Councils and
organised the Swaraj Party, Ganesh Shankar won a resounding victory on its behalf,
from Kanpur and served as a Member of the U.P. Legislative Council till 1929 when
he resigned at the behest of the Congress. In 1929 he was elected the President of the
U.P. Congress Committee and was appointed the first 'dictator' to lead the Satyagrah
movement in U.P. in 1930, and was arrested and sent to jail again. He was released on
March 9, 1931 under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. While he was about to proceed to
Karachi to attend the Congress Session, Kanpur fell into an orgy of communal rioting,
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi threw himself in the midst of furious mobs and saved the
life of thousands of innocent persons belonging to both the Hindu and Muslim
communities. It was on this mission of mercy that he was butchered to death by a
maddened mob. Mahatma Gandhi paid him the following tribute in the pages of
'Young India'. "The death of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was one to be envied by us
all. His blood is the cement that will ultimately bind the two communities. No pact
will bind our hearts. But heroism such as Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi showed is bound
in the end to melt the stoniest hearts, melt them into one. The poison has however
gone so deep that the blood even of a man so great, so self-sacrificing and so utterly
brave as Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi may today not be enough to wash us of it. Let this
noble example stimulate us all to similar effort should the occasion arise again."
Almost 17 years later, Gandhiji himself offered the supreme sacrifice, for the same
noble cause for which Vidyarthi had died. THE POSTS AND TELEGRAPHS
DEPARTMENT JOINS THE COUNTRY IN PAYING THE TRIBUTE TO HIS
MEMORY BY ISSUING A SPECIAL 15 nP POSTAGE STAMP ON MARCH 25,
1962.

Remembering Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi

Martyrs are born and seldom made Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was one of them. Born on October 26,
(117 years ago) in 1890 in Allahabad, he passed the high school examination and joined the Kayastha
Pathshala in Allahabad. In 1906-07 national leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and
Gopal Krishna Gokhale visited Allahabad and sought Vidyarthis support for national struggle.
Allahabad during this period was humming with both literary and political activities. It had
periodicals like Hindi Pradeep, Swarajya, Karmayogi and Abhyudaya carrying articles on freedom of
press, slavery, revolutionary upsurge and even cult of bomb and the students of Muir Central
College, assumed an attitude of open defiance to the moderate leaders of U.P. Even Sunderlal and
M.M. Malaviya were openly abused. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi as a student became more attracted
towards political journalism and started working in the Swarajya office. But the Urdu weekly was
warned in 1908 and its editor Shanti Narain Bhatnagar was convicted in July and sentenced to three
and a half years imprisonment. Although four editors, Hotilal Verma, Ram Hari, Nand Gopal and
Laddh Ram were sentenced each to 10 years transportation for preaching sedition
Within a year of its emergence, the Pratap brought out its special number in September 1914. It was
entitled Rashtriya Ank with Bharatmata in the garb of Chandi, flanked by two lions as its special
feature and photograph of Mahatma Gandhi as a satyagrahi on it. It was priced at four annas and had
60 pages. Amongst its contributors were Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, Maithili Saran Gupta, Munshi
Prem Chand, Vidyavati Seth B.A., Syed Haider Hussian, Badrinath Bhatt B.A., Srimati Balaji,
Satayanarayana Kaviratna and Janardhan Bhatt B.A. Naturally such a number enabled the Pratap to
establish its reputation in Hindi journalism. By November 1914, the editor had made his debut as
self-appointed champion of the mill-workers, the coolie-emigrants and the exploited kisans of
Champaran.
Having worked with the Swarajya, the Karmayogi and the Abhyudaya (Allahabad), Ganesh Shankar
Vidyarthi was conscious of the tentacles of the Press Act. But his debut as a youthful and dynamic
editor showed that he was heedless of the consequences of the action which could be taken against
him. So he fearlessly continued his advocacy of the peasants working in Champaran indigo
plantations, the coolie emigrants in overseas colonies and the mill-workers of Kanpur. On 23 April at
2.00 a.m. the Deputy Inspector-General of Police raided the houses of the editor, Ganesh Shankar
Vidyarthi, and the keeper of the Pratap press, Shiv Narain Misra.
According to an eye witness there were at that time only two chairs in the newspaper office, one was
occupied by the D.I.G. and the other by the City Kotwal. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi took exception to
it and asked the Kotwal, Baqar Ali, to vacate the chair, as he was on duty as editor. As soon as the
chair was vacant, he occupied it and thereafter protested to the D.I.G. against his breaking open the
almirahs.
Having built up the Pratap press and the paper by sheer personal valour and labour, sacrifice and
exemplary courage, it was a proud day for Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi to declare it public property. So
a trust was created and registered as such in March 1919. The trustees included Maithili Saran
Gupta, Chirgaon, Dr. Jawahar Lal Rohtagi, Phoolchand, Shiv Narain Misra Vaidya Kapur, and
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi.
In the words of M.Chalapathi Rau, Gandhi was probably the greatest journalist of all times and the
weeklies he ran and edited were probably the greatest weeklies the world has known. It was he who
evolved the technique of the press acting as a weapon of Satyagraha. And the publication of the

Satyagrahi on 7 April 1919 opened a new vista in the role of Press in the freedom struggle. Gandhiji
issued detailed instructions as to how civil disobedience was to be offered by selling proscribed books
and publishing unregistered newspaper.
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was always alert and resourceful. Maithali Saran Gupta related one
interesting anecdote. When he was sitting in the Pratap office a person came and talked to the
manager of the press. There after he demanded a printed cover (envelope) of the Pratap and then got
the address of the then Viceroy written on that. As he was known as a writer on Indian states the
matter went to Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. The resourceful editor got scent of the whole matter and
decided to get the envelope taken out of the letter box. It was revealed from the contents of the letter
that vulgar and abusive matter was being sent to the Viceroy in Pratap envelope, relating to the then
princely states so that action might be taken against the paper.
In the words of Banarsidas Chaturvedi, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi created good many literatures
made writers and literary men into budding journalists. In this respect Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi
was a true disciple of his master, Acharya Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, editor of the Saraswati. His
magazine was many sided in its interests and was widely read. The Saraswati was acknowledged to
be the best produced journal of its times. During the eighteen years of his editorship. Dwivedi was
identified with the propagation of Khari Boli as against Brij Bhasa. Amongst other journalists who
were making a great contribution to Hindi journalism and enrichment of Hindi, were Balmukund
Gupta of the Bhrat Mitra, Laxmi Narayn Garde, Baurao Vishnu Paradkar and the Malaviyas at
Allahabad. With the emergence of the Pratap, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi came into prominence and
then followed Banarsidas Chaturvedi, Brindaban Lal Varma, Krishna Dutt Paliwal, Bal Krishna
Sharma Navin, Dshrath Prasad Dwivedi, Makahan Lal Chaturvedi and a host of others.
A number of events rocked India in early 1931. One of them took place at Allahabad on the morning
of 27 February 1931, in which Chandra Shekhar Azad, leader of the Hindustan Socialist Republican
Association, was shot dead in an encounter with the police. The other was execution of Bhagat Singh,
Sukhdev and Shivram Rajguru at Lahore on 23 March 1931, despite countrywide protests and appeal
for clemency. A communal tension is reported to have caused Vidyarthi untimely demise. Two days
later his dead body was found lying stuffed in a gunny bag in a hospital. Though his face had been
badly disfigured, he could be identified due to his white khadi clothes. His identity was further
confirmed by the three letters found in his pocket which he had scribbled on the fateful morning of
25 March.
Writing in young India in April 1931 Mahatma Gandhi said I am grieved to have to inform you that.
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi is reported to be missing or killed. Who would not be grieved over the
death of such a genuine and earnest selfless comrade? Jawaharlal Nehru in his speech on 27 March
1931 paid equally handsome tribute to him, when he said, It is reported that one of my dear friends,
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, president of U.P. Provincial Congress Committee, has been killed in the
course of rioting. Like the true brave Congressmen that he was he must have rushed to the point of
danger and tried to pacify the people who were killing each other. If he has met the death in this
manner, it is as a true Indian should meet it.
* The author is a former press secretary to President R Venkatraman.
- Asian Tribune -

Journalism of madan mohan malviya

"A giant among men, one of those who laid the foundation of modern Indian
nationalism and, year by year, built up brick by brick and stone by stone, the noble
edifice of Indian freedom." In these words, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, now Prime
Minister of India, summed up the feelings of the nation at the death of Pandit Madan
Mohan Malviya in 1946. Scholar, educationist, man of action, a leader of the national
liberational movement, Madan Mohan Malviya rose to prominence in the countries
life at an early age. Born at Alahabad, on December 25th 1861, Madan Mohan was
the son of Pandit Brij Nath, a highly respected scholar of Sanskrit of his time. Madan
Mohan was first educated traditionally at two Sanskrit Pathshalas and later sent to an
English school. Even during his college days, as a student of the Muir central college,
Allahabad, he took keen interest in public activities. Religion and education were,
however, of special interest and he dedicated himself to these till the end of his life.
After graduation in 1884, Pandit Madan Mohan joined Govt high school at Allahabad
as an assistant master. Being in government service did not prevent him from
participating in political movements and he soon joined the fold of the Indian National
Congress. His very first appearance on the Congress platform at its Calcutta session
created a lasting impression and gave him a place in the political life of the country.
By his earnest and untiring work, Pandit Malviya rapidly gained ascendancy in the
Congress organisation. He was one of the very few individuals who were honoured by
the Congress by being elected as its president three times, the first at the Lahore
session (1909), the second time at Delhi (1918)and the third at the Calcutta (1933). He
could not, however, preside over the 1933 sessions as the meeting was banned and he
was arrested even before he reached Calcutta. While being a man of action. Pandit
Malviya , placed the greatest reliance on the spread of learning and scholarship. His
most ambitious projects and one whose realisation was described by Mahatma Gandhi
as his chief contribution was the founding of the Banaras Hindu University. Following
the Jaliyanwala Baug episode, the government appointed the Hunter Committee to
enquire into the Punjab disorders and followed it up with the indemnity bill. The
nations protest against this found its voice in the speech of Pandit Madan Mohan in
the legislative council of which he was a member. He was later elected President of
the Jaliyanwala Baug Memorial Committee. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya
accompanied Mahatma Gandhi to the Second Round Table Conference in 1933. He
also played an important part in the removal of untouchability and in giving direction
to the Harijan movement. The Harijan Sevak Sangh was founded at a meeting in 1933
at which Pandit Malviya presided. He was a member of the Indian Legislative Council
from 1902 to 1912 and from 1924 to 1930. Although the Banaras Hindu University

towers above many of his other contributions in the educational field, he also founded
Allahabad Literary Institute. It was one his settled convictions that without an abiding
religious faith man cannot succeed. This led him to found the Sanatan Dharm
Mahasabha at Allahabad in January 1906, and the Allahabad Hindu Samaj. A devout
Hindu himself, he wanted to see the same religious devotion in every Hindu of India.
But his religious activities were by no means sectarian. As he stated in his presidential
address at the Allahabad Congress, "I am a Hindu by faith and I mean no disrespect to
any other religion when I say that I will not change my faith for all the possessions of
this world or of any other. But I shall be a false Hindu and I shall deserve less to be
called a Brahmin, if I desired that Hindu's, or Brahmins could have any unfair
advantage as such over Muslims, Christians or any other community in India". Pandit
Malviya will also be remembered for his contribution to the field of journalism. He
started his journalistic career as the Editor of the Hindustan in 1887. Two years later,
he joined the "Indian Union" as Editor in which capacity, he continued till its
incorporation with the Advocate of Lucknow. He then started his own Hindi weekly
Abhyudaya and laboured hard to make it an informative and instructive journal.
Keenly feeling the need for an English daily to voice the opinion and to ventilate the
grievances of people, he founded the Leader of Allahabad. The noble work of this
great patriot was acknowledged by Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of the nation in
following words: " Great as are Malviyaji's services to the country, I have no doubt
that the Hindu University constitutes his greatest service and achievement, and he has
worn himself out for the work that is dear to him as life itself.... Everyone knows that
there is no greater beggar than Malviyaji on the face of the earth. He has never begged
for himself by the grace of God he was never been in want, but he became a voluntary
beggar for causes he has made his own, and God has always filled his bowl in an
overflowing measure". On December 25, 1961, the nation will observe the centenary
of birth of this great patriot. The Indian Post & Telegraph department will join in
paying tribute to this great son of India by issuing a special postage stamp bearing a
portrait of Malviyaji.

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http://www.janadesh.in/innerpage.aspx?Story_ID=317%20&Parent_ID=16&Title=%E0%A4%86%E0%A4
%9C%20%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%20
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%E0%A5%80%20%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80
for makhanlal chaturvedi

books.google.co.in/books?id=4fNa62qAGJIC...
for karamveer patra

History of Indian Newspaper


Birth of Journalism in India:
The history of the contemporary journalism beings with the establishment of the printing press
by Christian missionaries in India. The Christian missionaries set-up printing press by India at

such a time when our country was struggling with several social evils and malpractices like child
marriage, sati system, illiteracy, superstitions etc. Christian missionaries established printing
press at the end of fifteenth century for spreading the messages of Christianity in the country.
With the advent of the East India Company in India in the year 1600, heavy printing machines
were installed in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta in India in the years 1674, 1772 and 1778
respectively. In India Press was used for journalist purpose for journalistic purpose for the first
time in the year 1780.
Birth of Bengal Gazette:
There were two rival groups in the council of then Governor- General- one group supporting
Warren Hastings, then Governor General and another group led by Philip Francis who himself
an aspirant of the post of the Governor General. In his patronage, a British named James
Augustus Hickey began the publication of a weekly newspaper called Bengal Gazette (also
known as Calcutta General Advertiser/ Hickey Gazette) on January 29, 1780.
It was meant mainly for the Europeans. Its contents were non- serious, spicy and vulgar. Bengal
Gazette claimed itself to be political and commercial newspaper. Hickey described the
newspaper in the following words
A weekly political and commercial newspaper open to
all parties but influenced by none
But in reality, the newspaper was entirely against Warren Hastings and his friend Elijah Impey,
the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Bengal Gazette was known for its personal attacks on
Hastings and his friends. It had given Warren Hastings several nicknames like Mr. Wronghead,
The great Moghul, The Dictator etc. The newspaper survived only for two years. It was
closed down in 1782 with the departure of its patron Philip Francis to Rangeland. After Philip, it
had faced the hardships imposed by the administration. Hastings ceased its types and ordered its
closure. An impartial evaluation of the newspaper makes it clear that it can be a pioneernewspaper of India but its contents were not up to the mark. It was away from objectivity and
was very biased. It was better to call it the Founder of Yellow Journalism in India instead of
Founder of the Indian Journalism.

After Bengal Gazette:


Hastings established India Gazette in the year 1780 as a voice against Bengal Gazette. It was a
new paper of quality and standard in comparison to Hickeys newspaper, India Gazette enjoyed
the patronage of Warren Hastings in the form of all facilities from him. Approximately 200
newspapers/ journals came into existence between 1780 and 1857 but most of them were closed
within short duration of time. Newspaper that continued their existence were-India Gazette
(1789-1834), Calcutta Gazette (1784-1878) , Asiatic Mirror (1788- 1820). The Calcutta
morning post (1799-1878), The Oriental star (1795-1857), the Calcutta Monthly
Journal (1794-1841) and The Bengal Harkaru (1795-1857). Some Europeans residing in India

were dissatisfied with the politics of East India Company. Calcutta became a melting pot of this
dissatisfaction and anger. This led to the birth of Hickeys Gazette and thus hickeys gazette
came to be known as first newspaper of the country. It also became a source of inspiration for
other newspapers that came into being from Madras, Delhi and Bombay, Madras
Courier (1785), The Harkaru (1791), Madras Gazette (1795), Bombay Herald(1789), The
Bombay gazette (1780), India gazette (1780) and The Voice of India(1882) are counted among
the pioneer-newspapers of India.
Buckingham: Guide to Indian journalism:
The real and stable form of the Indian journalism came on the force with the arrival of James
Silk Buckingham to India as the editor of Calcutta Journal in the year 1818. he was the person
with true journalistic spirit , abilities and a multidimensional personality. He is the real guide to
Indian Journalism. His newspaper had an effective presentation of political, commercial and
literary news stories. It was completely away from the cheapness promoted by Hickeys gazette.
Buckingham was a close friend of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Their friendship was a paradox in itself
because both belonged to different backgrounds and different ideologies. Roy was essentially a
social and religious reformer. Both of them struggled a lot for the freedom of Indian Press and
left an unforgettable impression in the field of the Indian Journalism.
Buckingham, despite his British origin did not hesitate to highlight the malpractices of the
British administration. As a result, his immigration permit was cancelled and he was forced to
quit India for good. During his last days of stay in India, he criticized Bishop of Calcutta in very
harsh words. His objective and impartial journalistic approach led to the popularity of the
newspaper. Within a short duration of three years the bi-weekly turned to Calcuttas first daily.
On the other hand, some personnel of east India Company announced the publication of John
Bull in the East in 1882. Maintenance of social and civil system was its declared objectives. But
I reality it stood against Calcutta Journal under the editorship of Reverend Samuel Bryce, both
the rival newspapers remained indulged in war of words.

Three members of the council of the Governor- General, John Adams, John Fedel and William
Butterworth, were staunch opponents of Buckingham back to England. After Hastings, Adams
became the Governor-General. Buckingham was forced to quit India on January 13, 1823. But
Buckinghams influence on the Indian Journalism was seen for the next 35 years. In 1857, the
British crown took over the administration after the Sepoy Mutiny.
Freedom Fighters In Journalism:
The Journalists in the initial days were mainly the foreigners who were promoting the interest of
the East India Company, their country or were promoting Christianity in the country. The Indian
Journalism could not take its real shape by this time in the true sense. Later, on Indian
Journalism emerged as a mission when some freedom fighters used Journalism as a weapon to
fight against the British.Akhbar Allahabadi, the well known Urdu poet has said Khaincho Na
Kaman Ko, Na Talwar Nikalo/ jab Tope Ho Muaqabil To Akhbaar Nikalo implying fight the
war with a newspaper and not with a sword. As far as the question of the contributions of an

Indian Journalism is concerned, first name that comes to mind is of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. He
was basically a social reformer who contributed significantly for the elimination of the Sati
System and for the spread of Women Education in the country. He is truly said to be the Father
of the Indian Journalism. With his inspiration following three newspapers came into being:
1.

Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali)

2.

Mirat-ut Akhbar (Persian)

3.

Brahminicial Magazine (English)


Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Journalism:
Samvad Kaumudi began under the editorship of Bhabani Charan Banerjee. But Banerjee left the
Newspaper after 13 issues because of the dispute with Roy on the points of Sati System and other
social reforms. Banarjee launched a separate newspaper called Samachar Chandrika and
promoted staunch Hindu values with its help.
Bengal Gazette was the first English Newspaper of India with an Indian ownership. Gangadhar
Bhattacharya began its publication in 1816. But it could sustain only for a year. In 1818 John
Burton and James Enzee obtained the approval of the publication of a weekly newspaper called
Guardian. Sirampore Missionaries also began the publication of three newspapers/journals
called Dighdarshan (Monthly Bengali Magazine), Samachar Darpan (Weekly Bengali
Newspaper) and Friend of India (Monthly English Newpaper). Both the magazines were
closed due to financial problems. But Samachar Darpan continued its existence till 1840.
Harkaru was the first English newspaper of India, which had a non-Indian ownership. It came
into existence on April 29, 1819.

With the inspiration of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, three more newspaper continued their publication
between 1821-1891. They were The Reformer, The Enquirer and Gyan Anveshan. All
these newspapers were the promoters of Progressive Hinduism.
Later Development from Calcutta:
The initial 40 years of the Indian Journalism were entirely controlled by the Europeans. Calcutta
became the main centre of the publication of Newspapers and journals. Beginning with English
newspaper/ journals, Calcutta later on also witnessed the publication of several Bengali,
Persian, Hindi and Urdu newspaper/periodicals. Its noteworthy that seeds of the Hindi
Journalism were also sown in Calcutta. Udant Martand which enjoys the pride of the being the
Hindi Newspaper of the country, also took birth in Calcutta. The reason of this concentration
was not only the availability of the printing facilities but Calcutta being the centre of the
administration also.
Amidst controversies and resistance, publication of 49 new newspapers began from Bengal and
Bombay between 1831-1833. Out of this, 33 were in English and 16 were in Bengali. Out of the
important factors facilitating the publication of newspapers in India, two were- spread of
English education and popularity of English language in India and the attention of British

journalists towards the socio-economic problems of India. Dwarkanath Tagore waqs the
renowned journalist of then Bengal who initiated the publication of Bengal Herald and
Bangadoot in English and Bengali respectively. He also supported the publication of Bengal
another English Newspaper Englishman financially and morally. In 1853 another English
newspaper called Patriot came into existence under the editorship of Girish Chandra Ghosh.
After two years, Harishchandra Mukherjee became its editor. After his death, Ishwar Chandra
Vidyasagar managed it. In 1861 Christo Paul became its editor who continued till 1884.
Indian Mirror, a fortnightly was an important newspaper of this period. Manmohan Ghosh was
its founder-editor. In 1871 Keshav Chandra took over its responsibility. He also began a Bengali
newspaper called Sulabh Samachar.
1857 Revolt and Press Laws:
The number of Newspapers in Indian languages before Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was very
negligible. Most of the newspapers were published by Christian missionaries. There were two
weekly one and quarterly Tamil Newspaper published from Madras. Apart from this, two weekly
newspapers were published in Tamil and English language respectively. The government
provided grants to these newspapers because of certain reasons.
One common aspect in all newspaper published in this period was that most of them were
inclined towards the policies of the British government. Only a handful of Newspaper raised the
issue of the countrys independence.
When Charles Metcafle succeeded William Bentick for some time, he passed such a responsible
Press law, which allowed publication with some restrictions but without governments approval.
Charles Metcaftle ignored the suggestions of friends to monitor
the Indian Newspapers. He even refused to differentiate between English and vernacular
newspapers. He made it clear that efforts of suppressing public opinion would be crushed. But
his press-friendly approach ruined his career and he never got the chance of becoming a
Governor-General on a permanent basis.
The attitude of the British government towards Indian press changed considerably after the 1857
revolt. Press of Bombay, Bengal and Madras did not show considerable interest in this revolt.
British Press went aggressive after this revolt and presented the revolt negatively. Lord
Cannings liberal policies were criticized by the British press. But the Indian press did not come
forward to raise a voice against the poisonous attitude of the British press.
The rebellion of 1857 created a wide gulf between the owners of the English and vernacular
language press. This gulf gradually got widened. This divide was very much conspicuous from
1920 onwards with the advent of Mahatma Gandhi on the scenario of the freedom struggle.
Journalism and Social Reforms:
Some of the vernacular language newspapers of Bombay were inclined towards social reforms.
Bal Shastri Jambhekar began publishing an Anglo-Marathi fortnightly and a Marathi fortnightly
called Dig in the years 1832 and 1842 respectively. Another newspaper Prabhakar also

championed the cause of social reforms. Gopal Rao Deshmukh a well known social worker used
to write for the newspaper. He also wrote some other newspapers like Gyan Prakash, Indu
Prakshand Lokhitvarta. His articles were mainly on the social issues. He advocated social
reforms with cooperation from the British government.
Deshmukh initiated Indu Prakash an Anglo-Marathi daily in the year 1861. Vishnu shastri
Pandit was the editor and Mahagovind Ranade was the columnist in that. Social reform was the
main goal of the publication. This was the time when intellectuals from Western India got
attracted towards Journalism one way or other. They looked Journalism as a powerful means of
expression. Mahagovind Ranade used journalism and stage through his life to fight the freedom
struggle. He is also known for his campaign for widow marriage. He organized conference for
the journalists of vernacular press. This conference was aimed to protest against the Vernacular
press Act 1878. This was the time Bal Gangadhar tilak and his follower Shri Agarkar were
planning to initiate Kesari and Maratha in Marathi and English language from Pune.
Ranade also came forward to give his support to Tilak and Agarkar.

From 1884- 1891 the well known social reformer Behram Malabari used the Indian press to
raise voice against the evils and malpractices of the contemporary Hindu society. Social reforms
of Malabari and Karsan Das went on simultaneously although both had a different methodology
of working. Karan Das went launched campaigns for widow-marriage while Malabari was
trying to uplift the Dalits and marginalized sections of the society. He launched a countrywide
program for discouraging child marriage.
Both the reformers were ardent advocates of English language. Revolutionary Vasudev Phadke
(1845-1883) was another supporter of the vernacular press of this period. He was termed as the
revolutionary by the British government because of his revolutionary steps taken against the
British Raj in India. History of the initial days of Indian Journalism are represented by
newspapers like Hindu a weekly by C. Subramanyam Aiyer from Madras, AmritBazar Patrika
edited by Motilal Ghosh from Calcutta. Hindu Patriot by Harischandra Mukherjee from
Calcutta. Indian Patriot from Malabar Kerala. Dr. George Bust who was the editor
of Bombay Times at the time of revolution of 1857 strongly recommended the actions against the
Indians by the British administration. Bombay government did not take care to punish the editor
of but Naurozi Fardoonji, a shareholder of the newspaper told him to give an assurance in
writing to keep his voice low. On his refusal, Robert Knight was made the editor in place of Bust.
In 1861 Bombay Times, The Courier and The Telegraph were merged. Times of India
was established to the soaring height of success. Three important Anglo- Indian newspapers
Pioneer from Allahabad, Civil and Military Gazette from Lahore and Statesmen from
Calcutta came into being during this period. Alfred Watson was the editor of the statesmen for
some time but his achievements were negligible. Under the editorships of the succeeding editors
Arthur Moore and Ian Stephens, Statement had a liberal attitude towards India. Another paper
Madras Mail is also worth mentioning because it is credited to the first evening newspaper of
the country. The Hindu followed it.
The Delhi edition of the Statesmen came into being when Delhi became the capital of the
country. The viewpoint of the Times of India became more nationalist under the editorship of Sir

Stanley Reed. Editorial of Times of India started gaining popularity since the Second World War.
Its editorial articles were considered to be unique. Times of India was the first newspaper, which
had an Indian war-reporter.
Various Urdu newspaper were ceased to be published at the time of 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. These
Urdu newspapers were replaced by several such newspapers that had Hindu editors. In 1861
there were 17 vernacular newspapers that included eleven Urdu, six Hindi and one newspaper
by missionaries. Out of these newspapers eight published from Agra, two each from Ajmer and
Etawah, one from Ludhiana, Meerut, jaunpur, Saharanpur, Allahabad and kanpur.
Two renowned newspapers from 1878 onwards were- Sacchinananda Sinhas Indian People
from Allahabad (Editoe- C.Y. Chintamani) and Hindustan Review, pandit Madan Mohan
Malviyas leader from Allahabad in 1909. Dayal Singh Majithyas Tribune from Lahore.
Sir Ferozshah Mehta began the publication of Bombay Chronicle under the editorship of
Benjamin Goy Horniman. After some time Horniman left Bombay chronicle to join Bombay
Sentinel.
Vernacular Press
Majority of the newspapers published during the half of nineteenth century were Urdu
newspaper. Prominent among them were Jaam-e-Jamshed (1878) published from Meerut.
Some newspapers began publishing from Agra and Delhi. Saeedul Akbhar began in 1837 is
considered to be the first Urdu newspaper of Delhi. It was edited by Syed Mohammed Khan,
elder brother of Sir Syed Ahmad khan because its editor after his brothers death. But he could
not sustain it for long as its involvement with educational activities. Delhi College and Agra
College were also publishing newspapers.
The assistant secretary of then government has mentioned three newspapers under the
newspapers of the Northwest province in his report. According to the report one newspaper was
in Persian and two other were in Nagri Script, but the language of all the newspapers were
Urdu. These were Sudhakar Akhbhar (Naagri), Banaras Akhbaar (Naagri) and Banaras
Gazette 9urdu). Sudhakar Akhbar was published by Pandit Ratneswar Tiwari while the
remaining two by Babau Raghunath Fatheh (Thatte). During this period Shekh Abhdullah began
the publication of Shimla Akhbar from Shimla in Hindi language.
After 1857, the Indian Press especially the Vernacular Press witnessed the atrocities of the
British government. . During this period the British crown had taken over the administration
from the East India Company. In 1859 Lord Canning became the viceroy of India and was
implemented the Indian Penal Code in 1860. The then public opinion of the country was much
influenced by the newspapers from Bengal like Neel Darpan, The Hindu, Patriot, Shome
Prakash, Indian Mirror and Bengal. The scenario of the Indian Journalism witnessed a sea
change with the publication of Amrit Bazaar Patrika. Earlier, it was in Bengali language but
switched to English language overnight with Vernacular Press Act being passed.
Gandhi and Journalism:

The country was experiencing the environment of the freedom struggle, which gave impetus to
the mission of Journalism. Many patriot Journalists began publication of newspaper on the
theme of independence. Newspapers were considered by such journalists for the freedom
struggle. Various freedom fighters joined English/vernacular press for fighting against the
British government for freedom. Gandhiji once said Understanding and expressing the public
opinion is the first objective of Journalism, the second is expression of public aspirations and the
third is the expression of the shortcomings of the popular beliefs.
The prominent newspaper of that time were Vande ma taram (Hindi), Kesari and Maratha
(Marathi), Swadedshmitram (Tamil), Amritbazaar Patrika,National Herald, The Civil and
Military gazette, Free Press journal, Bombay Chronicle, The Leader, The tribune, Madras
Standard and The Hitavada, all English.
In the twentieth century, various Hindi newspapers came into being. Mahamana Madan Mohan
Malviya began the publication of Abhyudaya in 1907. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi began
Pratap in 1913 from Kanpur while Mahendra Chandra in 1916. In 1920 Babu Shiv Prasad
Gupta from Varanasi initiated Aaj. The period witnessed the beginning of several important
Urdu newspapers as well. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad began Al Hilal in 1912 from Calcutta.
Hamdam came into being by Abdul Bari in Lucknow. Anees Ahmad Abbasi established weekly
Haqeeqat, which later on converted into a daily. Mahashay Krishnan in Lahore established
Pratap, the well known Urdu daily newspaper in 1919. After partition publication of Pratap
shifted to Delhi. In 1923 Mahashay kushhal Chand established Milap. Milap also shifted to
Delhi after partitions. Pratap and Milap are the two prominent newspapers that are still being
published.
The Rising Era commenced with Udant martand, Pandit Jugul Kishore Shukul began the
publication of Udant Martand (the rising Sun) from Calcutta in 1826. There are controversies
about its exact date. According to some opinions, its first issue came out into on May 30, 1826
while according to J. Natrajans book, History of Indian Journalsim, its date of publication
was February 9, 1826. Pandit Shukul was the editor as well as publisher. This was the first
independent Hindi Newspaper of its kind. Its publication was closed down on December 04,
1827 due to financial crisis. Pandit Shukul also began the publication ofSamdand Martand.
Different Era of Journalism:
Hindi prose and poetry both witnessed tremendous development due to concerted efforts of
Bhartendu harischand. The period is called as Bhartendu Era. Almost two dozen newspapers
came into existence because of his role.. He himself began the publication of several
newspapers/journals. Important among them are-Kavivachan Sudha (1867),Harishchandra
magazine, Harishchandra Chandrika (1874) and Balabodini (1874). All these magazines were
inclined towards social reforms and elimination of the caste system.
Hindi language became very rich by Dwivedi (Tilak) Era; this period is also known for the
publication of several literary and patriotic newspapers. This age came to e known as Dwivedi
era because of the dedicated literary Journalism of Pandit Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi. His works

also inspired other poets like Maithali Sharan Gupta and Ayodhya Singh Upadyaya
Hariaundh. Important newspapers of the period were Karmyogi, Karmveer, Pratap, Nrisingh
Gandhian Era is mainly known for the journalistic works of Mahatma Gandhi. He had excellent
command over English and Gujrati language. His pieces of writing were very simple and
encouraging. He began the publication of English newspaper Young India with Tarun
Bharat as the Hindi edition. The literary magazine Madhuri also came out during this period
in 1922. Premchand and Suryakant Nirala were also associated with this magazine for some
time. Premchand established Hans from Varanasi in 1930.
After Saraswati and Vishal Bharat, Hans was the most revolutionary magazine of that time.
Aaj was a very popular newspaper of that time.. In 1933 Hindustan the Hindi
Version of Hindustan times came into existence. Navbharat (1938) from
Nagpur,Aaryavarth (1942) from Patna. Vishva bandhu (1942) from Lahore and Dainik
Jagran (1942) from Kanpur came out.
Post Independence India:
The Journalistic values went a sea change along with the changes in the Nationalistic values.
The Indian Constitution recognized right to expression as a constitutional right of every Indian
citizen. India is one of those countries in the world where in citizens are free to express their
views. The press is allowed to perform the twin-task of highlighting the weaknesses of the
government and the administration and also unearthing the corruption. The contemporary
Indian Newspapers have established certain values and guidelines for themselves that include
development of a new outlook, conservation and dissipation of the Indian Culture, Promotional
of harmony among different Indian languages, encouragement to literary personalities,
information dissemination to the people, their education and their entertainment.

The Indian Press had to experience the severity of the government in the past. Apart from a few
incidents, the Indian Journalism is peacefully moving on the path of Independent and healthy
journalism. The competition due to electronic media has strengthened the roots of the Indian
Journalism. The print media has maintained its supremacy amidst cutthroat competition and
diversification

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