New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on December 11 said the government was committed to freedom of the press even while asking the Fourth Estate to exercise self-control while covering sensitive issues like terrorism.

"The government is not in favour of any control or restrictions on media," he said replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha.

However, there were some Constitutional provisions seeking reasonable restrictions, he said adding if any proposal comes for giving more teeth to the Press Council of India (PCI), it could be considered under the constitutional framework.

Stating the guidelines of the Council were not legally binding, he said the Centre would talk to the Council on coverage of events.

The Home Minister said he felt the media should exercise restraint on its own.

While ruling out any interference by government on media coverage of terrorism- related issues, the Home Minister said the Council should make additions to its existing guidelines in this regard.

He said the Council had guidelines on usage by newspapers and news agencies of diktats given by terrorists through press releases and that the Council could make further amendments in its guidelines on media coverage of terrorist activities.

PTI