The government has indicated that private TV channels may broadcast the Republic Day Live telecast and the President's speech, using signals from DD Bhakti/DD News, which will feature sign language interpretation, along with closed captions in English/Hindi, to ensure accessibility for differently-abled individuals.
The government said that the feed of DD News/DD Bhati is being made available free of cost.
In an advisory to private TV channels, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that it has been receiving requests from civil society to facilitate the telecast of the Republic Day ceremony and the President’s speech to the people with hearing impairment.
The public broadcaster, Doordarshan, has confirmed to MIB that DD Bharati/DD News will broadcast the President's Message to the nation with sign language interpretation on their channel, scheduled for January 25, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
The ministry further said that therefore the public broadcaster, Doordarshan, has indicated DD Bharati/DD News will carry sign language interpretation of the President's Message to the nation on their channel from 07:00 PM to 07:30 PM on January 25, 2024.
It added, “It has further stated that on January 26, 2024, DD News will carry the sign language interpretation of the commentary on their channel from 09:00 AM to 12:15 PM tentatively (or till the end).”