Question

Why were newspapers careful not to offend royal officials

Answer 1

Newspapers were careful not to offend royal officials because these officials wielded a lot of power. These were officials who were either royal themselves or worked closely/directly with members of the royal family. They then had a lot of power and influence and could greatly affect the business of the newspapers. For example, a nasty article about a royal official could lead to the shutting down of the newspaper or its printing press. They could arbitrarily wield their power, money, and influence to knock down those who disgrace or humiliate them. This is especially true if any of the newspapers print any false or inaccurate materials.