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Hickey

James Augustus Hickey established India's first newspaper called the Bengal Gazette in 1780 in Calcutta, which was then under the rule of the East India Company. Published weekly, the Bengal Gazette served as a watchdog against government mismanagement and corruption. However, Hickey faced criticism for his blunt commentary against the government and Governor General Warren Hastings. Hastings had Hickey imprisoned for his malicious publications. Despite this, Hickey continued publishing from jail until Hastings seized his printing press in 1782, marking a setback for press freedom. Hickey is still revered today as epitomizing fearless journalism in India.

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Hrittika Dey
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390 views1 page

Hickey

James Augustus Hickey established India's first newspaper called the Bengal Gazette in 1780 in Calcutta, which was then under the rule of the East India Company. Published weekly, the Bengal Gazette served as a watchdog against government mismanagement and corruption. However, Hickey faced criticism for his blunt commentary against the government and Governor General Warren Hastings. Hastings had Hickey imprisoned for his malicious publications. Despite this, Hickey continued publishing from jail until Hastings seized his printing press in 1782, marking a setback for press freedom. Hickey is still revered today as epitomizing fearless journalism in India.

Uploaded by

Hrittika Dey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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James Augustus Hickey

In the year 1780, India got its first ever newspaper and the man single-handedly made it possible
was James Augustus Hickey. The champion figure of journalism has inspired a crop of dauntless
journalists in India. Irishman James Hickey, known as the ‘Papa of Indian Press’ by the British, built
the framework of Journalism in 18th Century. Calcutta which was then under the rule of the East
India Company. Hickey started a newspaper called Bengal Gazette, which also known as ‘Hickey’s
Bengal Gazette’ or the ‘Calcutta General Advertiser’ which hit the stands for the first time on
January 29, 1780. It was the first manifestation of Journalism in India, serving as a public watchdog
against the mismanagement and wrong-doings of government and corruption in the society.

Published on every Saturday, the Bengal Gazette was written, edited and printed by Hickey, who
was otherwise a surgeon by occupation. It had only two sheets with three columns on each page
and was printed on both sides of the pages. Its circulation was limited; not exceeding 200 copies.

The newspaper drew strong criticism for its coarse language and its blunt commentary on the
government. Hickey ruthlessly carried out tirades against the East India Company. Soon Bengal
Gazette provoked the ire of the then Governor General, Warren Hastings. Warren Hastings was
furious about the malicious and sarcastic contents Hickey used to publish in his newspaper about
him and also the Chief Justice Elijah Impey. Soon he filed a case against him and Hickey was
imprisoned. Hickey was stubborn. He continued to publish his Gazette even when he was in jail
and his criticism grew harsher. Finally, Warren Hastings seized his printing machines and
typewriters, and March 1782 saw the end of Bengal Gazette. It was a big setback for the freedom of
the press.

James Augustus Hickey is still revered by many journalists as an epitome of fearless journalism.
The famous Decker’s Lane in Kolkata, has now been rechristened as James Hickey Sarani.
Journalism is taking a new leap every day as more newspapers, TV channels, websites are coming
into the market. Journalism in India has also gone way ahead of the times when one had to wait till
the morning for the newspaper to arrive or the primetime news shows at All India Radio. No matter
how many steps we take, it all started with James Hickey.

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