THE FIRST INDIAN NEWSPAPER

I was not aware that January 29 was an important day in the history of newspapers of India. According to a recent newspaper article by M. J. Akbar, January 29 is Indian Newspaper Day. On this day in 1780, the first Indian newspaper was published. It was a weekly called Hickey’s Bengal Gazette (aka Calcutta General Advertiser).

The paper’s motto sums up the nature of the media business: “ A Weekly Political & Commercial Paper, Open to all Parties, but Influenced by None.”

James Augustus Hickey, one of the most colourful stars of a resplendent era, launched the Gazette in January, 1780. He became famous for reporting the scandals of his day. His paper’s circulation soared when he reported on the first adultery case to reach the Calcutta High Court. If the laws of libel made it difficult to publish a story, Hickey had no qualms about using transparent pseudonyms like “Hooka Turban” or “Chinsurah Belle.”

The Gazette, however, did not live to celebrate its first birthday. On 14th November, 1780, a diktat was issued by Warren Hastings from Fort William: “Public notice is hereby given that, as a weekly newspaper called the ‘Bengal Gazette” or “Calcutta General Advertiser”, printed by J.A.Hickey, has lately been found to contain several improper paragraphs tending to vilify private characters and to disturb the peace of the Settlement, it is no longer permitted to be circulated through the channel of the General Post Office.”

Hickey responded with fiery rhetoric: “Before he will bow, cringe, or fawn to any of his oppressors … he would compose ballads and sell them through the streets of Calcutta … Shall I tamely submit to the yoke of slavery and wanton oppression? No!”

As M.J.Akbar commented: “And how many journalists have responded in the manner Hickey did? Enough to guarantee the honour of the profession.”