Doordarshan’s New Orange Logo Sparks Criticism; Former Boss Makes a Comment

DD News unveiled its new logo and shared a promotional video to accompany the reveal. The English news channel of Doordarshan, DD News, described the logo as a fresh representation of the channel’s enduring values and announced that viewers can expect an unprecedented news experience. However, the logo attracted criticism online due to its saffron color, with some users expressing concern about the timing of the change, just before elections.

Former Doordarshan executive Jawhar Sircar lamented the shift, characterizing it as the “saffronisation” of the channel’s logo. He contended that the change was inappropriate, especially given its timing before the elections, and accused the move of violating the Model Code of Conduct, which ensures fairness during electoral campaigns. Sircar’s criticism was supported by his past experience as the CEO of Prasar Bharati, the overseeing body of Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Conversely, the current head of Prasar Bharati, Gaurav Dwivedi, defended the logo change, stating that it was a necessary update aligned with the channel’s aesthetics. Dwivedi emphasized that the color in question was actually orange, and highlighted that the logo alteration was part of a broader visual upgrade for the channel, which includes new lighting and equipment. He justified the use of the bright and attractive color as a decision in line with the channel’s branding and visual identity.