Newspapers (Incitement to Offences) Act 1908
Topic: Print Culture and the Modern World · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Newspapers (Incitement to Offences) Act was passed in 1908, at a time of revolutionary activity during the Swadeshi period. It let magistrates seize the press and property of any newspaper that printed matter seen as inciting murder or acts of violence. It shows how colonial press control grew harsher as nationalism became more radical.
Example
The Act was passed in 1908 after revolutionary attacks in Bengal. Radical Bengali papers such as Yugantar were among those whose presses were seized. That same year, Tilak was jailed for his writings in Kesari, and this set off protests across India.
Don't confuse with
- Indian Press Act 1910: worked through security deposits that could be forfeited. The 1908 Act allowed direct seizure of presses.
Related concepts
- Censorship of Press Act 1799
- Licensing Regulations 1823
- Press Act of 1835
- Licensing Act 1857
- Hindu Patriot
- Som Prakash
- Press and Registration of Books Act 1867
- Amrita Bazar Patrika
- Vernacular Press Act
- The Hindu