DD News Sports’ saffron logo draws criticism

DD i.e. Doordarshan, the country’s autonomous public broadcaster, recently altered the color of the iconic logo, transitioning from its traditional red to a shade of orange- saffron. A different kind of move has automatically drawn criticism from opposition parties, who have expressed their disapproval of the logo’s new appearance.

This change was unveiled by DD News, Doordarshan’ s English news channel, through a promotional video shared on the social media platform X.

It says,”While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar. Get ready for a news journey like never before… Experience the all- new DD News,” the caption stated.

While our values remain the same, we are now available in a new avatar. Get ready for a news journey like never before.. Experience the all-new DD News!

We have the courage to put:

Accuracy over speed
Facts over claims
Truth over sensationalism

Because if it is on DD News, it… pic.twitter.com/YH230pGBKs

— DD News (@DDNewslive) April 16, 2024

But why is the saffron logo is receiving backslash?

The alteration in the logo has sparked online backslash, with many users pointing out its saffron hue and the timing of the change which is coincidently ahead of the general elections. Jawhar sircar, a Rajya Sabha member of TMC and former CEO of Prasar Bharati (DD, AIR) expressed his concern over what he perceives as the “saffronisation” of the national broadcaster.

National broadcaster Doordarshan colours 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 any more
— it’s Prachar Bharati! https://t.co/a2r6zBLc3C

— Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) April 18, 2024

TMC leader Mamta Banerjee expressed her concern over the change of logo indicating hidden political agendas behind this alteration. She says, ”

She says, “I am shocked at the sudden saffronisation and change of color of our Doordarshan logo when the national elections are taking place across the country! It is absolutely unethical, grossly illegal, and speaks loudly of the pro-BJP bias of the national public broadcaster! How could the Election Commission of India allow this crude, pro-Saffron violation of the Model Code of Conduct when the people are in the electoral mode?! ECI must immediately stop it and reverse the change to go back to the original blue color of the logo of Doordarshan!”.

Over the years, we have seen Doordarshan has altered the colour of its logo, including blue,yellow, and red. However, the essential elements of the logo, such as the two petals and the globe at the center, have remained consistent.

The change in the colour of the logo of public broadcaster sparked off a political row with the opposition terming it as “grossly illegal” and reflecting a “pro-BJP bias“.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur took a jibe at Banerjee, saying her love for “saffron” is “publicly known” while the BJP termed the change as a “homecoming”, contending that the saffron logo was tested in 1982.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said India got colour TV in 1982 and Doordarshan became the national broadcaster the same year. “This is how it was launched. Saffron. We just reclaimed it,” Malviya said on X, sharing a clip of the promo of Doordarshan from years. “On Doordarshan’s saffron colour, it was tested way back in 1982. So, don’t be shocked and find out who changed it to blue. This is nothing but a homecoming for the national broadcaster,” Malviya said