The Central Government told the Supreme Court that there is no statutory void but a strong mechanism to regulate the content of private television channels. In an affidavit filed before the court, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told the Supreme Court that the government has always protected the freedom of journalism and has encouraged policies to promote self-restraint.

The government said through an affidavit that it ensures that media houses and journalists accept their important role and all responsibilities towards the society and raise the standards of their practice through self-developed methods.

The government also agreed to minimal interference by government officials in the functioning of the media. The ministry said that the legal machinery of the government works only in matters related to national security. Along with this, the government also said that there is no legal void in broadcasting irresponsible reporting.

The ministry said in its affidavit that the Center has deliberately imposed self-restraint from the beginning and has adopted a system of restraint to promote the mechanism of self-regulation by media houses and journalists.

The affidavit was filed in response to the petition of News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) against the January 2021 observations of the Bombay High Court. During that time, the High Court had said that the media trial is contempt of court and urged the press not to cross the Lakshman Rekha, as it found the coverage of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case by some news channels contemptible.