History & Civics
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre which shook the British rule in India was reported in the British Press after eight months when the Hunter Committee of Inquiry formed to inquire into the matter gave its report. The Indian Press also took little note of the incident and buried it in the inside pages of the newspaper. Why, do you think, that such a gruesome massacre remained the most underplayed news stories of its time?
Mahatma Gandhi
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Answer
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, despite being a horrifying event, remained one of the most underplayed news stories of its time due to the following reasons:
Strict censorship by the British Government: The colonial authorities imposed tight control over the press and restricted the reporting of any incident that could tarnish the image of British rule or provoke public anger.
Fear of repression: The Indian press feared severe punishment, fines, or closure if they openly criticized the British administration. Hence, most newspapers published the news in the inside pages with minimal coverage.
Control over British media: In Britain, the government attempted to suppress reports that exposed the brutality of British officers, which is why it took nearly eight months for The Manchester Guardian to publish a detailed report.
Deliberate downplaying to avoid backlash: The British authorities tried to minimize the impact of the massacre internationally and within India by treating it as a minor incident and protecting General Dyer instead of holding him accountable.
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