Asked about her stance on this issue now, Soni cited the arguments of the News Broadcasters Association and Indian Broadcasters Foundation about self-regulations being a better option. “Content code is not on our agenda. The Government does not have any intention of putting in place any regulatory body to monitor. We have no intention of doing that,” she added.

The I&B Ministry is also seriously looking into the demands by broadcasters, who had faced flak for the manner of 26/11 coverage, to set up some nodal authority or institute some mechanism to disseminate information and coordinate with them in times of crisis like the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Ministry is exploring the possibility of setting up such a nodal centre that could comprise a minister and some officials who could coordinate with other wings of the Government and disseminate information in times of unforeseen happenings. “But I have to first seek the Prime Minister’s clearance for that,” said Soni.