On the World Press Freedom Day, the ‘Hicky’s Bengal Gazette’, India’s first newspaper was remembered.
About Bengal Gazette:
- Founded on January 29, 1780, by James Augustus Hicky, the Bengal Gazette or Calcutta General Advertiser was the first printed newspaper in India.
- Published as a weekly English-language newspaper in Kolkata, then Calcutta, the capital of British India.
- Originally aimed at the British community in Calcutta, the paper included a mix of gossip, salacious stories, and critical commentaries on government corruption and civic issues.
- It boldly addressed social issues, advocating for improvements in infrastructure and public safety.
- The publication criticized the then Governor-General Warren Hastings and was shut down in 1782.
- James Augustus Hicky, an Irishman in financial distress, built his printing operations using a smuggled printing press while in prison. He recognized the lack of timely local news for Europeans in India, leading to the creation of the Bengal Gazette.
- The Gazette was notable for being the first newspaper in Asia, filling a crucial gap by providing local news based on timely reports, which contrasted the outdated information from Europe and America.
About World Press Freedom Day:
- World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the importance of press freedom for maintaining informed societies.
- It commemorates the efforts and sacrifices of journalists and media professionals who often face challenges and dangers to deliver accurate news.
Ref: Source
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