56ᵗʰ to 59ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2014

To control the media in India, ‘Acts’ were passed in –

a1835, 1867, 1878, 1908✓ Correct
b1854, 1864, 1872, 1910
c1854, 1872, 1908, 1910
d1867, 1908, 1910, 1919

Explanation

(75) To control newspapers that exposed the government’s repressive policies, the Press Act of 1835 (Act No. XI of 1835) was promulgated. After this, the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 was passed. Viceroy Lord Lytton passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878, under which no newspaper could be published without the government’s permission if it contained criticism of the British government. In addition, an Act to control the press was passed by Lord Minto in 1908, under which the government had the power to confiscate any publication that was accused of inciting public feeling against the government.

indian-history