World Press Freedom Day: Some Acts from Indian History
World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3rd, as noted by the United Nations in 1993. It is celebrated to observe that the freedom of information is a fundamental human right, weighs the state of press freedom around the world, and is a reminder that in dozens of countries, publications are censored, fined and closed down, while journalists and editors are harassed, attacked, detained and sometimes murdered.
May 3rd was adopted by United Nations in 1993; to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek. This Declaration was a statement of free press principles put together by newspaper journalists in Africa during a UNESCO seminar on "Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press" in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991. It calls for free, independent, pluralistic media worldwide, characterizing free press as essential to democracy and as a fundamental human right.
The need for freedom of press in India was realised with the democratic form of government. It was after liberalisation that the business enterprises made their involvement in the laws of the nation. Several acts dealt with regulation part of print media, some of them are:
The Press (Objectionable Matters) Act, 1951: This act was aimed to restrict the printing and publication of any kind of wrongdoing or crime and other objectionable matters.
First Press Regulations, 1799: Promulgated by Lord Wellesley, according to this, it was mandatory for the newspapers to print names and addresses of the printers, editors and publishers.
Gagging Act, 1857: This act allowed the government to ban the publication or dissemination of statements or news stories which had a tendency to cause hatred or contempt for the government. The Act was however abolished in June 1858.
Indian Press Act, 1910: Under this Act, owners of newspapers were required to tender security deposits.
Young Person’s Act, 1956: This Act seeks to prohibit the publication in India of such literature that glorifies crime, violence or vice.
Vernacular Press Act, 1878: This Act was enacted on March 1, 1878. It empowered the then British Government to exercise more stringent control over publications in the Indian languages.
Press Council of India Act, 1965: It was established for protecting the freedom of the press and maintaining and improving the standards of both newspapers and news agencies.