## Doordarshan's New Saffron Logo Raises Concerns
Doordarshan, India's national broadcaster, recently unveiled a new logo featuring a prominent saffron color. This change has sparked criticism from opposition parties who see it as a move towards "saffronisation" of the media.
The new logo, which replaces the previous ruby red one, was launched on Tuesday. DD News, the flagship channel of Doordarshan, stated that the change is merely an update to the channel's visual aesthetic. However, opposition parties have questioned the timing of the change, coming just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Jawhar Sircar, a TMC Rajya Sabha MP and former CEO of Prasar Bharati, expressed concern over the use of saffron in the logo. He stated that the national broadcaster is increasingly becoming a tool for promoting the ruling party's agenda, with opposition parties receiving minimal airtime.
Responding to the criticism, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi described the new logo as having a "catchy orange color" and emphasized that the change is purely for branding and visual aesthetics. He also pointed out that the design of the logo, featuring two petals surrounding a globe, remains unchanged.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate about media neutrality in India. While the government maintains that Doordarshan remains impartial, opposition parties argue that the recent changes point towards a growing bias in favor of the ruling party. The impact of these changes on the upcoming elections remains to be seen.