Indian Newspaper Act

The discontent created by the unpopular acts of Lord Curzon resulted in the growth of an Extremist Party in the Indian National Congress. The growth of the Extremist Party in the house of the Indian National Congress led to the acts of violence. The newspapers of the time greatly condemned the acts and policies of the government. In short, the newspaper became the instruments to reveal the bare nature of the oppressive British Government of India. The adverse comments of the newspapers against the government led it to follow a repressive policy and enacted the Newspapers (Incite to Offences) Act, 1908. The Newspaper Act, of 1908 laid down several principles, terms and condition. According to the terms and condition, of the Newspapers Act, 1908, the magistrates were empowered to confiscate printing press, property connected thereto of newspapers, which published objectionable materials serving as incitement to murder or acts of violence. The Local government was authorized to terminate any declaration made by the printer and publisher of the newspaper, which had been found offender under the Press and Registration of Books Act of 1867. The newspapers editors and the printers were given the option to appeal to the High Court within fifteen days of the order of the penalty of the Press. Under the Newspapers Act of 1908, the government launched the prosecutions against nine newspapers and confiscated seven Presses.