A Top News Channel Blacked Out For An Hour To Protest India's Ban Of "India's Daughter"

    NDTV ran a silent black screen saying “India’s Daughters” at prime time to protest the government's media-wide ban of the BBC 4 documentary.

    Imaan Sheikh
    by Imaan Sheikh

    BuzzFeed India Contributor

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India issued a ban of the BBC 4 "Storyville" documentary "India's Daughter" to all TV channels before it was released.

    BBC 4 / Via buzzfeed.com

    The documentary, by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin, retells the story of a horrific December 2012 gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old New Delhi woman. It includes interviews with the victim's parents, her attackers (who are currently imprisoned), and her attacker's defendants, amongst others. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting advisory, issued to all TV broadcasters, parts of the documentary “appear to encourage and incite violence against women, thus compromising women’s public safety" and "provide encouragement to anti-social elements to indulge in violent acts compromising law and order.”

    Despite its original release date of Mar. 8, BBC released the documentary four days early following the announcement of its ban in India. It did not air in India, but was uploaded to YouTube by BBC 4.

    The following day, the documentary was blocked from viewing in India on YouTube, following Indian court orders.

    YouTube

    On Women's Day, NDTV protested the ban by running this visual for an hour at prime time.

    Twitter: @ajit_ranade

    The protest aired from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

    sonia singh @soniandtv

    We won't Shout but we will be Heard @SharmaKadambini: #IndiasDaughters 9pm to 10pm ”

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    The channel was applauded by its viewers for its stance against censorship.

    Shilpa Kannan @shilpakannan

    Well done @ndtv for running a silent protest against media driven #censorship #IndiasDaughter #Nirbhaya

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    Anna MM Vetticad @annavetticad

    My TV is on #NDTV from 9pm till the end of the protest. Will the govt force me to switch channels? #IndiasDaughter

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    Vijay Prashad @vijayprashad

    First time in Indian television history, a channel has gone silent to make a protest. @ndtv darkens screen against censorship.

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    Deen Mohammad @YoursDeen

    Well done @ndtv!

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    Salil Tripathi @saliltripathi

    NDTV's impressive protest, when silence is golden. And what a contrast to the noisy channel that clamoured for a ban

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    Joy @Joydas

    Well done NDTV. Silence has the power to overpower the highest decibel

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    Truth Of Gujarat @TruthOfGujarat

    NDTV: 1 Government: 0 Times Now: 0

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    The broadcast of "India's Daughter" is one in a string of bans the Indian government has issued in past weeks, including one on the release of "50 Shades Of Grey."