Journalism Meaning, Definition and Scope of Journalism

Meaning of Journalism
Journalism is a profession of writing for newspaper and magazines.
Two important works are done:
1. collection of news
2. dissemination of information

JOURNALISM means writing for newspapers or magazines. It is the

communication of information through writing in periodicals and newspapers.
The people have an inborn desire to know what’s novel or new. This curiosity is
satisfied by the journalists through their writing in the newspapers and journals
on current affairs and news.

Journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing or

broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business. The
word “Journalism” is derived from the word “Journal” which means a daily
register or a diary – a book containing each day’s business or transactions. This
includes newspapers no matter whether they are published daily or weekly. It
also means a magazine to whatever section of the audience it caters to.

When a person writes for a newspaper, magazine or a journal (journalist), such

writing is called journalism which means communication of information about
daily events condensed into a few words, sounds or pictures. We know that man
by his nature is curious to know what is going on in the world around him.
Journalism satisfies this vital human need by providing him and other members
of the public with the relevant and requisite information. While a historian records
what happened in the past, a journalist reports on current events and the latest
news.

Journalism draws its inspiration from the present. It depicts the situation as it
develops. It is the day to day operation of gathering and transmitting news. It
affects everyone. It concerns you; me and the society at large. If a journalist
delays reporting of news even by a day, nay, even by a few hours it becomes
state. It is not like writing a book at your leisure. Journalism, to be effective, has
got to be always kept on the move.

The role of a journalist is not confined to merely reporting the news and events.
He is also responsible for interpreting and commenting on the news and events.
Thus a journalist’s main function is to give out “News and Views”. The views to
be expressed need not be those of his own. He can elicit and report the views of
the knowledgeable cross-sections of people.

The Chambers 20th Century dictionary defines journalism as “the profession of

conducting or write for public journals”. According to the majority of researchers,
journalism means “the collection and editing of material of current interest for
presentation, publication or broadcast”. In other words, journalism means
communication of information to the public by any media, be it a newspaper,
radio, or T.V. A person engaged in journalism is called a journalist.

Definition of journalism

Bond F. Fraser: According to him “The term journalism embraces all the forms in
which and through which the news and the comments on the news reach the
public. All that happens in the world, if such happenings hold interest for the
public and all the thought, action and ideas which these happenings stimulate
become the basic material for the journalist.”

According to Leslie Stephens, “Journalism consists of writing for pay on matters

of which you are ignorant.”

Eric Hodgins of Time Magazine defines it as, “Journalism is the conveying of

information from here to there with accuracy, insight and dispatch and in such a
manner that the truth is served and the rightness of things is made slowly, even if
not immediately, more evident”.

According to Webster third international dictionary journalism define as “The

collection and editing of material of current interest for presentation, publication
or broadcast”.

The word journalism is derived from Journal which means a daily register or a
diary. Today the word journal also connotes a newspaper, published every day or
even less often or a magazine. Thus Journalism means .the communication of
information regarding the events of a day through written words, sounds or
pictures. And a journalist is a person who writes for or conducts a newspaper or
a magazine. He is also called a press man.
The oldest journalism is connected with periodical journalism. A periodical, is
printed at a regular and fixed interval. A periodical can be called a newspaper if it
appears at least weekly in recognized newspaper format and has general public
interest.

In the modern age, the press is called the “Fourth Estate”. It enjoys a very
important place in society and plays a very vital role in a democracy.

Scope of Journalism
Journalism, in its wider sense, includes reporting and commentaries delivered on
television and radio. Even news events and film documentaries come within the
scope of journalism. The editors, and the reporters working for television, radio
or film industry claim that when they deal with news and views, they too are as
much covered by the term “the Press” as people belonging to the print media.
What qualifies a person to be called a journalist is the nature of the function
performed by him and not the media for which he is working.

Concept of journalism

Journalism is the publication of news and views on various aspects of

human activities in news papers and periodicals. In a broader sense, the
functions of journalism are to convey national policies to the public,
and to keep the Government, at Local, State and Central levels,
informed of public needs. It also brings to the notice of the Government
public reaction to Government policies and decisions. In addition. it
keeps the public and the Government informed of events and
happenings at home and abroad.

Journalism is the craft of conveying news, descriptive material and

comment via a widening spectrum of media. These include newspapers,
magazines, radio and television, the internet and even, more recently,
the cell phone. It is the process of collection, writing, editing, and
publishing news in newspapers and magazines collectively.

Journalism is the production of news reports and editorials through

media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the
Internet.

The elements of journalism

1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth

Good decision-making depends on people having reliable, accurate facts put in a

meaningful context. Journalism does not pursue truth in an absolute or philosophical
sense, but in a capacity that is more down to earth.

“All truths – even the laws of science – are subject to revision, but we operate by
them in the meantime because they are necessary and they work,” Kovach and
Rosenstiel write in the book. Journalism, they continue, thus seeks “a practical and
functional form of truth.” It is not the truth in the absolute or philosophical or
scientific sense but rather a pursuit of “the truths by which we can operate on a day-
to-day basis.”
This “journalistic truth” is a process that begins with the professional discipline of
assembling and verifying facts. Then journalists try to convey a fair and reliable
account of their meaning, subject to further investigation.

Journalists should be as transparent as possible about sources and methods so

audiences can make their own assessment of the information. Even in a world of
expanding voices, “getting it right” is the foundation upon which everything else is
built – context, interpretation, comment, criticism, analysis and debate. The larger
truth, over time, emerges from this forum.

As citizens encounter an ever-greater flow of data, they have more need – not less –
for suppliers of information dedicated to finding and verifying the news and putting
it in context.

2. Its first loyalty is to citizens

The publisher of journalism – whether a media corporation answering to advertisers

and shareholders or a blogger with his own personal beliefs and priorities — must
show an ultimate allegiance to citizens. They must strive to put the public interest –
and the truth – above their own self-interest or assumptions.

A commitment to citizens is an implied covenant with the audience and a foundation

of the journalistic business model – journalism provided “without fear or favor” is
perceived to be more valuable than content from other information sources.

Commitment to citizens also means journalism should seek to present a

representative picture of constituent groups in society. Ignoring certain citizens has
the effect of disenfranchising them.

The theory underlying the modern news industry has been the belief that credibility
builds a broad and loyal audience and that economic success follows in turn. In that
regard, the business people in a news organization also must nurture – not exploit –
their allegiance to the audience ahead of other considerations.

Technology may change but trust – when earned and nurtured – will endure.

3. Its essence is a discipline of verification

Journalists rely on a professional discipline for verifying information.

While there is no standardized code as such, every journalist uses certain methods to
assess and test information to “get it right.”

Being impartial or neutral is not a core principle of journalism. Because the

journalist must make decisions, he or she is not and cannot be objective. But
journalistic methods are objective.
When the concept of objectivity originally evolved, it did not imply that journalists
were free of bias. It called, rather, for a consistent method of testing information – a
transparent approach to evidence – precisely so that personal and cultural biases
would not undermine the accuracy of the work. The method is objective, not the
journalist.

Seeking out multiple witnesses, disclosing as much as possible about sources, or

asking various sides for comment, all signal such standards. This discipline of
verification is what separates journalism from other forms of communication such
as propaganda, advertising, fiction, or entertainment.

4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover

Independence is a cornerstone of reliability.

On one level, it means not becoming seduced by sources, intimidated by power, or

compromised by self-interest. On a deeper level it speaks to an independence of
spirit and an open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity that helps the journalist see
beyond his or her own class or economic status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender or
ego.

Journalistic independence, write Kovach and Rosenstiel, is not neutrality. While

editorialists and commentators are not neutral, the source of their credibility is still
their accuracy, intellectual fairness and ability to inform – not their devotion to a
certain group or outcome. In our independence, however, journalists must avoid
straying into arrogance, elitism, isolation or nihilism.

5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power

Journalism has an unusual capacity to serve as watchdog over those whose power
and position most affect citizens. It may also offer voice to the voiceless. Being an
independent monitor of power means “watching over the powerful few in society on
behalf of the many to guard against tyranny,” Kovach and Rosenstiel write.

The watchdog role is often misunderstood, even by journalists, to mean “afflict the
comfortable.” While upsetting the applecart may certainly be a result of watchdog
journalism, the concept as introduced in the mid-1600s was far less combative.
Rather, it sought to redefine the role of the journalist from a passive stenographer to
more a curious observer who would “search out and discover the news.”

The watchdog role also means more than simply monitoring government. “The
earliest journalists,” write Kovach and Rosenstiel, “firmly established as a core
principle their responsibility to examine unseen corners of society. The world they
chronicled captured the imagination of a largely uninformed society, creating an
immediate and enthusiastic popular following.”
Finally, the purpose of the watchdog extends beyond simply making the
management and execution of power transparent, to making known and understood
the effects of that power. This includes reporting on successes as well as failures.

Journalists have an obligation to protect this watchdog freedom by not demeaning it

in frivolous use or exploiting it for commercial gain.

6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise

The news media are common carriers of public discussion, and this responsibility
forms a basis for special privileges that news and information providers receive
from democratic societies.

These privileges can involve subsidies for distribution or research and development
(lower postal rates for print, use of public spectrum by broadcasters, development
and management of the Internet) to laws protecting content and free speech
(copyright, libel, and shield laws).

These privileges, however, are not pre-ordained or perpetual. Rather, they are
conferred because of the need for an abundant supply of information. They are
predicated on the assumption that journalism – because of its principles and
practices – will supply a steady stream of higher quality content that
citizens and government will use to make better decisions.
Traditionally, this covenant has been between news organizations and government.
The new forms of digital media, however, place a responsibility on everyone who
“publishes” content – whether for profit or for personal satisfaction – in the public
domain.

The raw material cast into the marketplace of ideas sustains civic dialogue and
serves society best when it consists of verified information rather than just prejudice
and supposition.

Journalism should also attempt to fairly represent varied viewpoints and interests in
society and to place them in context rather than highlight only the conflicting fringes
of debate. Accuracy and truthfulness also require that the public discussion not
neglect points of common ground or instances where problems are not just
identified but also solved.

Journalism, then, is more than providing an outlet for discussion or adding one’s
voice to the conversation. Journalism carries with it a responsibility to improve the
quality of debate by providing verified information and intellectual rigor. A forum
without regard for facts fails to inform and degrades rather than improves the
quality and effectiveness of citizen decision-making.
 7. It must strive to keep the significant interesting and relevant

Journalism is storytelling with a purpose. It should do more than gather an audience

or catalogue the important. It must balance what readers know they want with what
they cannot anticipate but need.

Writing coaches Roy Peter Clark and Chip Scanlan describe effective newswriting as
the intersection of civic clarity, the information citizens need to function, and
literary grace, which is the reporter’s storytelling skill set. In other words, part of the
journalist’s responsibility is providing information in such a way people will be
inclined to listen. Journalists must thus strive to make the significant interesting and
relevant.

Quality is measured both by how much a work engages its audience and enlightens
it. This means journalists must continually ask what information has the most value
to citizens and in what form people are most likely to assimilate it. While journalism
should reach beyond such topics as government and public safety, journalism
overwhelmed by trivia and false significance trivializes civic dialogue and ultimately
public policy.

8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional

Journalism is our modern cartography. It creates a map for citizens to navigate

society.

As with any map, its value depends on a completeness and proportionality in which
the significant is given greater visibility than the trivial.

9. Keeping news in proportion is a cornerstone of truthfulness. Inflating events

for sensation, neglecting others, stereotyping, or being disproportionately
negative all make a less reliable map. The most comprehensive maps include
all affected communities, not just those with attractive demographics. The
most complete stories take into account diverse backgrounds and
perspectives.

Though proportion and comprehensiveness are subjective, their ambiguity does not
lesson their significance.

10. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience

Doing journalism, whether as a professional writing for a news organization or as an

online contributor in the public space, involves one’s moral compass and demands a
personal sense of ethics and responsibility.

Because “news” is important, those who provide news have a responsibility to voice
their personal conscience out loud and allow others to do so as well. They must be
willing to question their own work and to differ with the work of others if fairness
and accuracy demand they do so.

News organizations do well to nurture this independence by encouraging individuals

to speak their minds. Conversation and debate stimulate the intellectual diversity of
minds and voices necessary to understand and accurately cover an increasingly
diverse society. Having a diverse newsroom does little if those different voices are
not spoken or heard.

It’s also a matter of self-interest. Employees encouraged to raise their hands may
“save the boss from himself” or protect the news organization’s reputation by
pointing out errors, flagging important omissions, questioning misguided
assumptions, or even revealing wrongdoing.

Having a sense of ethics is perhaps most important for the individual journalist or
online contributor.

Increasingly, those who produce “the news” work in isolation, whether from a
newsroom cubicle, the scene of a story, or their home office. They may file directly to
the public without the safety net of editing, a second set of eyes, or the collaboration
of others. While crowdsourcing by the audience may catch and correct errors or
misinformation, the reputation of the author and the quality of public dialogue are
nevertheless damaged.

Functions of Journalism…
The press performs a very important role as means of mass communication in
the modern world. The press tries to inform its reader objectively about what is
happening in their community, country and the world at large. To bring certain
developments into focus, editorial comments on the news are also given.
Newspapers also play a very important role in eliminating undesirable conditions
prevailing in society. Sometimes, newspapers carry on campaigns for some
highly desirable civic projects and serve society in this way.
Purpose and Functions of Journalism
There is some 8 important function of journalism to inform, to interpret and
educate, to guide, to entertain. The detail of each is given below:
Information
This function includes all reports, news and happenings concerning the daily life.
It does not include any information involving or concerning the pursuit of leisure.
But it does cover all news regarding government politics, foreign affairs, weather,
accident, business, labour, education. This function consists mostly of matter,
which is given, in news broadcast on the radio and T.V. as well as in the news
columns of the newspapers and magazines
Interpretation of News
The need for interpreting and explaining the news in our day and age is readily
manifold because their own fields of knowledge baffle even the specialists at
times. The ordinary mortal caught in a maze of economics, science or invention
needs to be led by the hand through its intricacies. Accordingly, present day
journalism sees to it that along with its announcement of a fact, event or theory,
the reader or listener also gets explanation, background material interpretation
and diagrams. These are all aimed at helping an individual to achieve a better
understanding of the significance of what he reads or hears:

Entertainment
Side by side with its more serious roles as a purveyor of information, interpreter
and molder of opinion, journalism lays increasing emphasis on its function as an
entertainer. Under this Function can be included all types of fiction like comic
strips stories amusing aspects of everyday life etc. It also includes factual
material sports news, theater reviews and hobby columns, which deal with
leisure. The entertainment function of the press is very important. This function
not only competes for space and time with either functions but it can also exert
indirect influence and impart information incidentally

Advertising
This function of the press can very easily be recognized because it is
commercially oriented. Sometimes, the advertisements also have some pubic
service message under the prestige advertisements regarding family planning,
driving safely, childcare, health care etc. The commercially oriented advertising
seeks to promote the sale of their goods.

Generally, people have to depend upon the press for the major share of their total
news information because even television newscasts cannot carry that much
bulk, nor could the television viewers assimilate it, if they did. Of course,
information can be written and edited in such a slanted fashion that there exerts
more influence than the printed editorial. Entertainment is the most important
function of journalism, because it is like a magnet, which attracts and holds a
large audiences. It plays a vital role in selling newspapers and magazines by the
millions. The sports pages, comic strips, astrology columns advice to the
lovelorn and crosswords are essential to the average newspapers survival as a
mass media.

The entertainment function’s greatest threat to good journalism is its competition

against information and influence for media space and time and consumer
attention. Addition of an extra page of comic strips may add to circulation and
accompanying advertising revenues, thus enabling the newspaper to add
editorial material, or it may simply oust a few columns of news and commentary.
Similarly, a second lovelorn column not only steals space from significant
offerings, but also tempts more readers away from the remaining substance.
There is no doubt that information and influence play an inevitable role in the
success of the largest general interest. For example, much space of Reader’s
Digest is devoted to articles and opinion pieces, about government foreign affairs
current morality issues, and education. Advertising also plays a very important
role in the success of running a mass media. Advertising provides the largest
part of the revenue to finance the most elaborate technically sophisticated press
system. In fact all sorts of daily newspapers, magazines; publications depend on
advertising revenue. Advertisement also supplies essential marketing information
to the public and helps information businessmen of changes within their fields.

Education Function
The journalism / newspapers not only provide the information to the people but
they also educate people by providing guidance on various .issues through the
editorials and column. The need for interpreting and explaining the news in our
day and age is readily manifold because their own field of knowledge baffled even
the specialists at time. Accordingly, the present day journalism see to it that,
along with its announcement of a fact, event or theory, the reader or listener also
get explanation, background material, interpretation and diagrams. These are all
aimed at helping an individual to achieve a better understanding of the
significance of what they read or hear.
News Function
The most important and exacting function of journalism / newspaper is the
provision of a daily or periodical supply of news and all the news. The provision
of news to the readers is a basic concept and Ale newspaper journalism.

The function includes all reports news and happenings concerning the daily life,
it does include any information involving or regarding Govt. politics, foreign
affairs, weather, accidents, business, education etc.

Role of Journalism in Society

In India a democratic country, Media is considered as the ‘Fourth Pillar’

along with the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, the three other pillars.
Media plays a crucial role in the democratic lives of the citizens of the country
as it keeps people informed about the Socio-economic and Political state of
Affairs.

Media brings to limelight varied issues of concern that need to be dealt with
and tries to place before us a coverage of events that are occurring around.
Media also serves information today in a process that combines
entertainment with a means of education. This is called Infotainment.
Role of Journalism:

Communication of News, Information, Updation and Education:

The role of journalism is primarily to provide information and news.

Journalism can be of varied types and a journalist can write or present
various genre and styles. For instance, a journalist can cover daily, news,
investigative news or write features on varied topics. A journalist today can
also write and present varied stuff that may not qualify as hardcore news or
journalism and this is a genre all by itself called Lifestyle journalism which
is based upon news about Travel, Food, Luxury, Clothing, Automobiles,
Fashion, Sex, etc,. A journalist could write on environment or health. A
journalist can also be a content writer.

Many Professionals from the world around be it Doctors, Lawyers,

Environmentalists, Botanists, Zoologists, Engineers or IITians, have taken
to journalism to make people aware and inform them on varied topics which
cannot be presented by ordinary citizens. This rise of Technical writers is
indeed a boon as it creates a plethora of information on various topics,
erstwhile unknown to many people.

As a journalist who writes and/ or presents information to the people, it is

important to remember that Journalism is a tool that epitomises
information that is to be proclaimed on the wings of truth, authenticity,
objectivity, loyalty and Honesty. The “Purpose of journalism is thus to
provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible
decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their
government”. (www.americanpress institute.org, 2015).

Role as Mediator:

It is the role of the journalist to inform, educate and stand as the voice of the
people of the country. While, journalism of different genres is a requirement,
News journalism has an important role to play. A journalist has to be the
voice that acts as a mediator between the People and the Government.
Agenda setting by journalists has led to important issues being discussed and
decisions taken to support People's demands of justice. While, it has been
doing that for many years, times have changed and the patterns have
changed too.
Role in Agenda Setting:

While some issues have achieved success in grossing the media limelight,
some urgent issues have deliberately been suppressed. Agenda setting on
one hand has brought certain important news to the forum, but on the other
hand, has given way to deliberately giving a spin to news and to often making
the people think what media wants them to think.

Journalism has fallen victim to economical pressures and in many cases

death threats to loyal and brave journalists who have become victims to
power ideologies, political battles, ideology gimmicks and economic fiasco.
And this is not just the case in a country like ours, but world over. However,
Online journalism has come as a respite as that which is sidelined by most
TV channels tends to go viral over the net.

Role in Development and National Integration:

Historically, the story of Journalism especially in the ‘freedom struggle’ ages

of India is a bold story of immense courage. While it began with Hicky’s
Bengal Gazette being printed; It had a very challenging phase in the freedom
struggle where, various freedom fighters implanted the spark of the freedom
struggle in the hearts of Indian Citizens using printed literature. The
Britishers wanted to ban this movement of Indian press which was
blossoming in order to encourage the freedom fight. However, this was not
to be. Gradually India gained freedom. The press found its voice speaking for
the people of the country and for development causes. The journalists were
not to cow down even during the Emergency. Therefore, Journalism has the
important role of playing a catalyst in India's development measures,
National Integration and fight for justice. India has a history of stalwart
journalists just like many other countries.

However, the arena drastically changed with the arrival of economisation

and the need for TRPs to get ad revenue. Digitisation, Monetisation and
Business has led to a media that often succumbs to the demands of economic
demands. Hardcore business entities entered the Journalism arena and this
was just the beginning of the downfall of objectivity in many cases of
journalism. Advertisement moolah has become a prime necessity for most
channels.

The meddling of Business manoeuvres and politicians have taken a toll on

authentic journalism giving rise to a news reporting that has turned into a
hob-nob for eye balls on Television debates and a politicising agenda for
parties that wish to rule the rooster. As rightly said by Willams and Carpini,
“it’s the power to set the “news agenda,” which determines which topics and
issues are included in the news— and those which are omitted.” (Willams and
Carpini, After Broadcast News p. 62-65).[1]

There are journalists who have adapted to the economic scenario in order to
safeguard their bread-winning jobs and the demands of their firms, while
others have stood the ground and paid the price. A twist to tales with a high
dosier of subjectivity in the news is today excepted as a clause acceptable to
people. This is not justifiable and not to be considered as journalism. Bad
news reporting or rather biased and unfair means of news reporting leads to
an ill-formed public. It diverts the attention of the people from important
concerns to trivial unimportant maters. In the long run, this trend could turn
dangerous as people will lose regard for those who have woven lies under the
mask of truth in the minds of people. So, it is here that Journalism needs to
undergo a rampant transformation.

Role as Gate-keeper:

Gate-keeping is another issue that leads to a massive amount of news from

all over the country getting filtered. While the print media is still a better
source of News and information, gate-keeping has led to a vast chunk of news
especially from smaller towns never reaching a national platform. Most news
channels barring a handful have become debate tables, with very little news
from all over India about the needs of the people. These have turned into
political pot-boilers debating on issues that evade other pressing issues that
plague the country. The situation is also, not as bad as it could seem with
authentic journalists heading towards social networking forums to present
the voice of Truth.The newspapers both printed and Online,
and the vernacular press are far better in their presentation of news. These
also bring to you important international news which is sidelined by many
channels. The major scams being exposed despite this unending trend of
interference in media is an ode of triumph for the few motivated, honest and
brave journalists. Though, these have to also pay the price as there are those
who have succumbed to murders as a price of truth.

History of journalism in India

This chapter is an attempt to discuss a brief overview of the history of Press in

India.
The history of Indian print media dates back to 1980. Indian Print Media is one of
the largest Print Media in the world.

The two hundred year history of the Indian Press form 1780 to the present day is
the history of a struggle for freedom. The evolution of the Indian media since has
been fraught with developmental difficulties illiteracy, colonial constraints and
repression, poverty and apathy thwart in news and media. (Aggarwal & Gupta,
2001)

In the 16"^ century the Christian Missionaries brought the Printing Press in India.

James Augustus Hickey is considered as the founder of the first newspaper

(Bengal Gazette) in India. James Augusts Bengal Gazette (English Weekly)
published by James Augusts Hickey in 1780 from Calcutta. In was also the first
news Paper in south Asian sub continent. Hickey declared his newspaper as "a
weekly political and commercial paper open to all influenced by none".

Bengal Gazette was a two-sheet paper with a size of 12"x8" having three columns
on each side.

Bengal gazette could not survive more than two year due to sharp confrontation
with warren hasting. Peter Read, a salt agent, launched Indian gazette as a rival to
the Bengal Gazette in the same year (1780). Indian Gazette was supported by
Hasting and enjoyed various benefits.

Calcutta Gazette was Published in 1784 Bombay Herald weekly was launched in
1789 which was later merged into Bombay Gazette in 1791. Bombay courier
appeared in 1790.

Hurukaru (weekly) came into existence in 1793. Calcutta Chronicle and Calcutta
Journal appeared in 1818 an early period the newspapers in India were run by
Britishers. Bengal is considered as the birthplace of journalism in India. The
language press also originated in Bengal.

Digdarshan in Bengalis a monthly magazine launched in April 1818 was the first
Periodical in Indian language. It was started by the Serampur Missionaries.
Samachar Darpan (Bengali) weekly newspaper also started publication in the
same year (1818).

Christian missionaries played the leading role in the growth & development of
Press in India. Most of the ventures were patronized by the Christian
Missionaries.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the Pioneer Journalist and social reformer whom Nehru
Considered as the founder of Indian Press, played pivotal role in the growth and
development of press in India. He published Brahmanical Magazine (English) in
1821, Sambad Kamudi in Bengali in 1821, Mirut-Ul akhbar (Persian, 1822).

In 1823, the British Government imposed Press regulation in India to control

newspapers. The regulation was used as a tool to deport James silk Buckingham
editor at Calcutta chronicle. Raja Ram Mohan Roy Protested against the press
ordinance of 1823 and injustice done to Buckhingham.

In 1822, the chandrika samachar was started in Bengal. In the same year Bombay
Samachar was started by Ferdunji Mazban of gane emphasis on social reform
and commercial news in Gujarati.

The first Hindi weekly newspaper Oodunta Martand was Published from Calcutta
in 1826. It was a short-lived newspaper. It could not survive long. The first Hindi
daily samachar sudha varshan (1854) appeared form Calcutta.

The first Oriya newspaper appeared in 1849 AD. Tamil Magazine the first Tamil
paper appeared in 1832 AD. Kanada Samachar was the first Kanada paper. The
Marathi newspaper made it appearance in 1832. (Neogi, 1977).

The growth and development of journalism in India has had a cheguered history.
Journalism has been a product of struggle against the continuing repressive
measures of the British rulers area long period to time right from the beginnings
in 1780. Thus the birth of Indian Journalism could be traced to thesecond & third
decade of the 19"^ century. These journals were started in Bengali & Gujarati.

During those days, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Gangadhar Bhattacharjee, Bhawani
Choran Bannerjee, Girish Chandra Ghose etc. were the Pioneers Indian
journalists. The Sepoy Mutiny (the first war of Indian Independence) was a turning
point in the history of Indian journalism.

The British Government enacted vernacular press Act also known as Gagging Act
to suppress the Indian language newspapers.

The Amrit Bazar Patrika came into existence in 1868 from Calcutta from
Allahabad.

The Hindu was launched in 1878 from Chennai. Keshari in Marathi and The
Maratha in English were launched in 1878 from Pune by Balgangadhar Tilak.

The Hindustan Times came into existence in 1923. The Indian express was
published in 1937.

In 1861 Mr. Knight merged the Bombay standard, Bombay times, Bombay
telegraph and Courier and launched The Times of India.
The Pioneer was launched in 1861. The Bombay chronicle was launched in 1913.
The Indian National Congress (INC) founded in 1886 was another turning point in
the history of freedom movement & Journalism in India. Most prominent
members of the congress were eminent journalists.

After the establishment of INC Indian Press became an important part of struggle
for independence. Some of the leading newspapers that came into existence after
the establishment of INC are Bengali English daily in 1900, Bande Mataram in
1901(Bangali weekly), Yuganta (Bengali daily in 1906). New India appeared in
1913.

Annie Besant was the editor of New India. Mahatma Gandhi the great freedom
fighter played a pivotal role in the freedom movement. He was also a veteran
journalist. He became the editor or Indian opinion in 1904 and published it in
English, Tamil & Gujriti. In 1919 he published young India in 1933 he started
Harijan, Harijan Bandhu and Harija senak in English, Gujarati & Hindi
respectively.

Article written by Gandhi conered most crucial issues like Hind-Muslim unity,

abolition of liquor, and wine Promatian of khadi and village industry renoual of

untouchabilities etc.