Reshaping Public Opinions: The Muslim Press in the Last Phase of Freedom Movement

Abstract

The last phase of freedom movement witnessed press as key stakeholder in changing public opinions. Every political party of colonial India sponsored or owned a press to propagate its manifesto and objectives. All India Muslim League also focused on press and propaganda after its re-organization to spread its message to the Muslims. Jinnah launched “create press campaign” with League owned newspapers while the Muslim notables launched their newspapers with meagre resources to support League and its demand of Pakistan. The Muslim owned press with scarce resources played pivotal role before and after Lahore Resolution 1940.  But it became a propeller of League’s political tactics during election campaign of 1945-46 and actively played pivotal role in civil disobedience movements through its impactful editorial and news coverage policies. The research aims to explore formation of press and its editorial policies to promote scheme of Pakistan and political agitations in Punjab and NWFP against rival ministries.

Key words:  Muslim Press, Editorial Policy, Civil Disobedience Movement, Public Opinion