Ottoman Oversight of Book Publishing
Since the early days of regulating printing houses, the Ottoman authorities have focused on controlling printing and publishing activities. This began with the authorization of private printing houses, primarily aimed at preventing “harmful publications” referred to as “neşriyat-ı muzırra.” Examining the historical evolution of regulations in Ottoman book publishing reveals not only the growth of the book market but also the government’s strategies for its regulation. It also reflects the changing concept of citizenship in the context of modernization, occurring alongside the implementation of monitoring and control mechanisms over citizens.
Throughout this history, an emphasis on restrictive measures is evident. The narrative of legal and administrative regulations in Ottoman press and book publishing is closely tied to censorship and control mechanisms. These regulations were developed in response to the need to regulate the content of publications. Notably, the regulations during the Hamidian Era (1876 – 1909) stand out for their focus on censorship and suppression.
Early Ottoman Printing Regulations
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, attempts to establish publishing houses in Ottoman lands were short-lived. There was no perceived need for legal frameworks governing printing houses and book printing due to the lack of significant privately-owned printing houses. However, in 1839, a decree allowed individuals to print books by applying to the state printing house. In 1841, permission from the Sublime Porte became a requirement for private individuals using the state printing house.
In response to foreign attempts to publish newspapers and books, a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1849 outlined several requirements for prospective printing house owners. They had to seek approval from local authorities to avoid religious conflicts, obtain licensing before opening a printing house, submit book copies to the governor before publication, and secure gubernatorial permission for printed materials.
In 1854, a decree stipulated that no book or pamphlet could be published without proper permission and a license. Subsequently, in 1856, private printing houses, especially lithographic ones, were required to have their proposed publications scrutinized by the Ministry of Education.
The formal regulation of printing houses took a significant step forward with the Printing Regulations of 1857. The 1870s brought extensive evaluations of penal code provisions related to printing and regulations concerning book publishing, printing houses, and the printing press. These changes, accompanied by political, economic, and societal shifts, set the stage for the emergence of publishing houses.
These developments paved the way for comprehensive new regulations concerning printing houses, eventually promulgated in 1888.
Development of Ottoman Printing Regulations (1857-1909)
In the mid-19th century, the Ottoman Empire began to establish regulations for printing and publishing activities. In 1857, two key regulations were introduced, along with penal clauses in the 1858 Criminal Code. The Ministry of Education was established in the same year to oversee printing houses, reflecting the empire’s modernization efforts.
These regulations were part of broader legal reforms following the Imperial Edict of Reorganization in 1839 and the Imperial Reform Edict of 1856. They aimed to modernize the legal and administrative systems while emphasizing control and supervision.
The 1857 Printing Regulations included provisions such as the need for permission from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Inland Security for publishing a book, foreign nationals requiring permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish printing houses, and the confiscation of harmful books. Authors were granted copyrights, and non-compliance resulted in penalties.
In 1875, the Regulations on Publishing Books introduced copyright regulations and format requirements. A Minister’s Order in the same year outlined a process involving the Ministry of Education’s review of books, subsequent printing and distribution licensing, and authorization stamps for books in different languages.
The 1888 Printing Regulations mandated detailed applications for establishing printing houses, specifying the name, address, and language of publication. Materials had to display the printing house’s name and address, doors couldn’t be locked during operation, and private passages were prohibited. The regulation also addressed materials to be printed, emphasizing authorization for books and treatises, and distinguishing between printing and publication. Foreign printing houses and imported materials required permission.
In 1909, as the Second Constitutional Era began, the Law on Printing Houses was enacted, ushering in a more open environment for the press. This law mirrored the French Press Law of 1881 and emphasized freedom of printing and bookshop establishment. Licensing requirements were waived for works in science and literature, but copies needed to be furnished to governmental bodies. Foreigners had to affirm their commitment to be governed by Ottoman law.
While the Ottoman Empire’s publishing environment experienced a period of relative freedom during the Second Constitutional Era, it was short-lived, with authoritarian governance returning during and after World War I. Martial law and political pressures curtailed publishing activities, leading to a decline in publications.
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