In the early Europe, it was apprehended that the effects of easier access to the printed word and the wider circulation of books, could pollute people’s minds. It was also feared that if there was no control over what was printed and read then rebellious and irreligious thoughts might spread. If that happened the authority of ‘valuable’ literature would be destroyed. Expressed by religious authorities and monarchs, as well as many writers and artists, this anxiety was the basis of widespread criticism of the new printed literature that had began to circulate.
For example, in 1517, Martin Luther wrote Ninety Five Theses criticising many of the practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. It challenged the Church to debate his ideas. Luther’s writings were immediately reproduced in vast numbers and read widely. This lead to a division within the Church and to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s translation of the New Testament sold 5,000 copies within a few weeks and a second edition appeared within three months. Print brought about a new intellectual era and helped the rise of Reformation.