Hicky's Bengal Gazette founded by journalist James Augustus was the first Indian Newspaper that began publishing scoops on the dark side of the English Company in Bengal in collusion with the British Crown.
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Ireland-born (January 29, 1780) James Augustus Hicky published the first edition of ‘Hicky’s Bengal Gazette’, India's first newspaper on January 29, 1780, in Calcutta (now Kolkata). It covered a range of issues and later came under the colonial government’s radar
This weekly English-language paper was a bold and daring venture during the early British colonial period, providing a unique platform for public discourse.
Key Contributions of BeHicky’s Bengal Gazette was a sensation. ‘As a novelty every person read it, and was delighted.’ Hicky’s old lawyer, William Hickey, wrote.
People were happy to finally have a newspaper. Hicky tried to cover everything that might be important to Calcutta. He devoted many pages to politics, world news, and events in India. He encouraged people to write him letters and poems. Bengal Gazette:
Introduction of Investigative Journalism: Hicky's newspaper was groundbreaking for its time, exposing corruption, scandal, and the exploitative practices of the East India Company (EIC) and British elites. His fearless reporting targeted influential figures, including Governor-General Warren Hastings, Chief Justice Elijah Impey, and Church authorities, uncovering financial irregularities, moral hypocrisy, and abuses of power.
Criticism of Colonial Policies: The newspaper was unapologetically anti-colonial and critical of the imperialist ambitions of the EIC. Hicky's used his platform to challenge the oppressive systems imposed on Indian society and highlighted the perversions of the ruling class.
Advocacy for Free Expression: Despite facing censorship, lawsuits, and imprisonment, Hicky's commitment to a "rigid adherence to truth and facts" helped lay the foundation for a free press in India. His slogan, "Open to all Parties, but Influenced by None," emphasized neutrality and accountability in journalism. The present journalists ought to learn a lot from the oldest Indian Newspaper. Across India both the print and visual media present biased reports on the corruption practices in the states like Tamil Nadu, fearing action by the ruling government. At the end the state and the people have to bear the brunt.
Cultural Commentary: Hicky's liberal views on human sexuality and candid reporting of social scandals provided a glimpse into the private lives of the British elite. However, his conservative and patriarchal opinions on women reflected the gender biases of his time.
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By the late eighteenth century, the British East India Company had consolidated their power in Bengal through dishonest way as a proxy government for the British Crown and the Crown was pleased with land expansion and vast revenue from that region. Revenue from the Indian land gave a boost to the British economy which had a GDP of just less than 1% when the company arrived in India. In the early colonial period, European missionaries made a beeline to India for the purpose of converting the natives to Christianity and were not averse to making money on the sideline. Into this milieu that saw corruption and cheating by the English government at its peak arrived James Augustus armed with honesty and professional ethics.
Inspiration for Indian-Led Journalism: By exposing the unethical practices of colonial rulers, Bengal Gazette inspired Indians to start their own newspapers, fostering an indigenous press that would later play a critical role in the struggle for independence.
