Doordarshan, India’s government-owned public television broadcaster, has sparked controversy with its recent decision to change the logo and letter colors of both its Hindi and English channels to saffron, aligning with the hue from the tricolor flag of India. The move, marking a departure from the blue and yellow logo adopted over six decades ago, has ignited debates over its perceived political connotations.
Logo Transformation:
- The updated saffron logos officially debuted on Tuesday, April 16th, replacing the original blue and yellow emblem selected during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s. Designed by Devashis Bhattacharyya, a student from the National Institute of Design (NID), the old logo symbolized the channel’s longstanding identity.
Political Undertones:
- The choice of saffron, a color closely associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has raised eyebrows, given Doordarshan’s historical ties to the government. Critics have pointed to past allegations of bias towards the ruling party, with the BJP itself previously accusing the channel of partisan reporting.
- The decision to overhaul the color scheme while retaining the existing design has drawn sharp criticism, with skeptics questioning the channel’s impartiality and autonomy.
Public Backlash:
- The announcement of the logo change triggered a wave of backlash on social media platforms, with netizens questioning the timing of the rebranding, coinciding as it did with upcoming religious celebrations and amidst ongoing political tensions.
- Concerns over alleged political interference in Doordarshan’s editorial content have resurfaced, with some viewing the rebranding as a symbolic gesture of alignment with the ruling party’s ideology.
Official Response:
- In response to mounting criticism, Doordarshan released an official statement reaffirming its commitment to journalistic integrity and accuracy. The statement emphasized the channel’s dedication to prioritizing factual reporting over sensationalism, positioning itself as a reliable source of news.
Dissenting Voices:
- Jawhar Sircar, former CEO of Prasar Bharati, voiced dissent over the logo change, expressing disappointment with the decision and its perceived implications.
Historical Context:
- This isn’t the first time Doordarshan has faced accusations of political bias. In 2019, the Indian National Congress lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging favorable treatment of the ruling party in Doordarshan’s coverage.
- Doordarshan defended its editorial decisions by citing the “high news value” associated with coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring the delicate balance between journalistic autonomy and political scrutiny.
As Doordarshan navigates the fallout from its logo rebranding, the episode underscores broader concerns surrounding media impartiality and the intersection of politics with public broadcasting.
