Analyzing the Role and Challenges of the Press during the Indian Emergency of 1975
Author : Sarvajith Kumar JN
Abstract :
The Indian Emergency of 1975-1977 marked a significant period in the country’s history, characterized by severe restrictions on civil liberties, including the freedom of the press. This paper examines the role and resilience of Indian journalism during this time, exploring how the media navigated censorship, propaganda, and government control. Through a comprehensive review of historical accounts, legal frameworks, and journalistic practices, this study highlights the various strategies employed by the press to resist and subvert authoritarian controls, from symbolic protests like blank editorials to clandestine reporting. It also analyzes the impact of the Emergency on journalistic ethics and the evolution of the media’s role as a watchdog in a democratic society. The findings reveal a paradoxical relationship where government-imposed censorship led to both the suppression and strengthening of press freedom post-Emergency, laying the groundwork for future reforms and a more robust journalistic framework in India. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between state power and media freedom, offering insights into the enduring struggle for press autonomy in democratic governance and the role of journalism in safeguarding democracy against authoritarian impulses.
Keywords :
Emergency, press freedom, democracy, censorship, society
