Many people feared that easily available printed books would have negative effects on society. They were apprehensive that easier access to the printed word and wider circulation of books could affect people's minds in harmful ways.

The main fear was that if there was no control over what was printed and read, rebellious and irreligious thoughts might spread. This would destroy the authority of 'valuable' literature. This anxiety was expressed by religious authorities and monarchs, as well as many writers and artists.

In Europe, the Roman Catholic Church began keeping an Index of Prohibited books from the mid-sixteenth century. Print created the possibility of wide circulation of ideas, and even those who disagreed with established authorities could now print and circulate their ideas. This threatened the Church's authority to decide on what should be believed.

In India, similar concerns about print culture existed. The Vernacular Press Act was one measure related to controlling printed material. Gandhi's statement that the fight for Swaraj was a fight for liberty of the press indicates that print was seen as powerful and potentially threatening to authority.