Author(s): Aradhana Singh and Ritu Raghuvanshi

Abstract: The evolution of press law in India reflects a long struggle between state control and the democratic ideal of free expression. From the colonial era’s “gagging” regulations and sedition laws to constitutional guarantees under Article 19(1)(a) and the challenges of digital censorship, India’s press has continually negotiated its space within shifting political and legal landscapes. Early measures such as the 1799 Censorship Regulations, the 1823 Licensing Regulations, and the 1878 Vernacular Press Act established a regime of pre-publication control and surveillance, while later enactments like the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867 created a structured but enduring bureaucratic oversight. With Independence, constitutional jurisprudence, beginning with Romesh Thapar and Brij Bhushan, redefined press freedom as an essential facet of democracy, though fiscal and administrative levers continued to influence its operation. The post-Emergency period deepened judicial scrutiny of indirect restrictions, culminating in landmark decisions on taxation, proportionality, and digital rights. Contemporary debates spanning the Information Technology Rules 2021, internet shutdowns, and fact-checking regimes illustrate that the tension between state authority and journalistic autonomy persists, albeit in new technological forms. The historical trajectory of India’s press law thus mirrors the broader evolution of the Indian republic’s commitment to liberty, accountability, and public reason.

DOI: 10.22271/2790-0673.2025.v5.i2e.255

Pages: 427-431 | Views: 361 | Downloads: 249

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