NDTV runs blank screen for one hour to protest the ban on 'India's Daughter'

In a move to protest government's decision to ban the documentary India's Daughter from being telecast in India, NDTV decided to go off air for one hour and take resort to 'silent protest'. 

The documentary was scheduled to air on March 8, on the occasion of International Women's Day before being banned by the government. From 9pm to 10pm on sunday, NDTV ran a black screen with a diya on it and the name of the documentary on the screen. On the ticker, the channel ran quotes by various personalities and organisations who have opposed the bans too. 

Also read: Editors Guild of India urges government to revoke ban on 'India's Daughter'

The documentary made by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin contained interview of Mukesh Singh, who is one of the six convicts for brutally gangraping and killing a 23-year-old paramedical student in Delhi. The documentary had sparked a row ever since its screening was announced in India last week, following which it has been banned by the government.

BBC aired the documentary, containing the controversial interview of a convict in the December 16,2012 gangrape despite a Delhi court prohibiting it.

NDTV has earned much praise on the internet. Many on Twitter even compared the bold step by NDTV to the time of Emergency when The Indian Express an The Statesman had printed blank editorial pages.

Because we don't need to shout to be heard “@venkatananth: Well played, NDTV!”

— Gargi Rawat (@GargiRawat) March 8, 2015

from 9pm to 10pm @ndtv's screen was dark and silent. but the message was loud and clear. #IndiasDaughter pic.twitter.com/73BORW4BBI

— Ajit Ranade (@ajit_ranade) March 8, 2015

Well done NDTV for protesting so meaningfully against the ban on India's Daughter: a blank hour to register censorship.

— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) March 8, 2015

We won't Shout but we will be Heard @SharmaKadambini: #IndiasDaughters 9pm to 10pm pic.twitter.com/UKfqtTImL7”

— sonia singh (@soniandtv) March 8, 2015

NDTV blank screen (lamp+scroll) protesting 'India's Daughter' ban recalls blank @IndianExpress OpEd during Emergency. pic.twitter.com/JJwuQA3zVH

— Pooja Desai (@poojadesaid) March 8, 2015

@ShekharGupta Brilliant silent protest @ndtv on rape documentary ban. Surely the silliest thing done by this govt so far, one they'll regret

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) March 8, 2015

Biting irony of scroll texts @ndtv running on silent screen: Indians have seen #DaughterOfIndia but it can't be screened for India

— Sankarshan Thakur (@SankarshanT) March 8, 2015

If silence is what the government wanted on the documentary, that's what they got. Be careful what you wish for. @ndtv #silentprotest

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) March 8, 2015

A tale of two protests against censorship. Print media, 1975. Electronic media, 2015. [Pic via @venkatananth] pic.twitter.com/RLFDPlGKC2

— Nigel Britto (@NigelBritto) March 8, 2015

Bravo #NDTV! The most eloquent protest agnst the suppression of free speech in India ever seen post-Emergency. Bravo! @ndtv #IndiasDaughter

— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) March 8, 2015