Doordarshan reveals its new logo from Ruby red to Saffron, Opposition raises criticism over its coinciding with Lok Sabha Elections.
Opposition parties have criticized the national broadcaster for what they perceive as “saffronisation.” While the broadcaster downplayed the issue as a simple change in visual aesthetics, leaders from opposition parties questioned why the change was made just before the Lok Sabha polls.
On Tuesday evening, DD News shared a video of its new logo on its official social media handle, stating, “While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar. Get ready for a new journey like never before. Experience the all-new DD News!
“We dare to prioritize: Accuracy over speed, Facts over claims, Truth over sensationalism… Because if it is on DD News, it is the Truth! DD News – Bharosa Sach Ka,” the broadcaster added.
Following this, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar, who served as the CEO of Prasar Bharati between 2012 and 2014, expressed his concern, stating, “The national broadcaster Doordarshan colors its historic flagship logo in saffron! As its ex-CEO, I have been watching its saffronisation with alarm and feel — it’s not Prasar Bharati anymore, it’s Prachar (publicity) Bharati!”
Doordarshan in a post on X shared the news of the revamping of the new logo.
The new logo faced criticism online, with many users noting its saffron color and expressing concern about the timing just before the elections. Trinamool MP Jawhar Sircar, former head of Doordarshan’s parent organization, also expressed disappointment over the “saffronisation” of Doordarshan’s logo.
“National broadcaster Doordarshan colors its historic flagship logo in saffron! As its ex-CEO, I have been watching its saffronisation with alarm and feel – it’s not Prasar Bharati anymore – it’s Prachar Bharati,” he stated in an online post.
He expressed his opposition in a video: “It’s quite inappropriate to see the national broadcaster has chosen the color saffron for its branding.” He also labeled the move a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, a set of rules implemented before elections to ensure fairness for all candidates.
However, the current head of Prasar Bharati disagreed with Mr. Sircar, justifying the change as necessary for visual aesthetics. He also argued that the color was orange, not saffron.
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In an interview with The Indian Express, Gaurav Dwivedi explained that choosing a bright, appealing color was part of the channel’s branding and visual style. He also mentioned that besides the logo, the channel had updated its overall appearance, including new lighting and equipment.
Officials mentioned that its logo featured saffron when Doordarshan was launched in 1959. Over time, other colors like blue, yellow, and red were introduced for the logo, while its design, consisting of two petals with a globe in the center, remained unchanged.
Initially, the logo included the words ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram,’ but this was eventually removed.
In March, shortly after the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Doordarshan announced that live telecast morning prayers would be offered to the Ram Lalla idol every day.
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