History Of Journalists Organisations In Madras

Book excerpt: The Press in India had been a powerful force since its inception. It not only influenced the minds of the people but has also remained a guiding star in the lives of succeeding generations. During the Colonial era, journals and newspapers started and managed by the nationalist Indians rattled British authorities and forced them to introduce stringent measures against the Press, particularly against the Vernacular Press. Many a time, journals and newspapers were to face proscription from the imperial authorities, as fiery articles, they feared, would push the nation into great chaos. Such was the power of the Press. Since no journalist organisation in Chennai had all the documents related to the study, I made use of websites of different organisations, newspapers and magazines. However, a large chunk of information was culled out from the documents preserved in the office of the Madras Union of Journalists. I profusely thank its office bearers for permitting me the access. But for their help, the task of documentation and study would have been more strenuous. As indicated elsewhere in this book, the splits in journalist’s unions has split their office records also. Hence a yawning gap is noticed in the history of different unions in Chennai. Some organisations have only limited records in the form of their constitution, occasional newsletters or handouts.