Write short note : The role of newspapers in the Indian struggle for independence.

Answer: Newspapers played a very important role in spreading nationalism during the freedom struggle.

• ‘Darpan’ (1832) of Balshastri Jambhekar started social awakening; later ‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’ of Lokmanya Tilak, ‘Amrit Bazar Patrika’, and Gandhiji’s ‘Young India’ and ‘Harijan’ spread nationalist ideas.
• They criticised unjust British policies and made people aware of their rights.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ‘Mooknayak’ and ‘Bahishkrut Bharat’ gave voice to social equality.
• The British tried to control them through laws like the Vernacular Press Act (1878), which shows how powerful newspapers had become.