Pretoria — Government has welcomed the fact that the debate on a proposed Media Appeals Tribunal has now entered Parliament.

"As Government, we welcome debates in the spirit of promoting free exchanges of views and ideas, and to enable informed policy making process," President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday, responding to questions in the National Assembly.

"We welcome the fact that this debate, which is raging in the public arena, has now also entered Parliament,"

Zuma said if it was found that a tribunal was necessary, Parliament would be charged with the mandate to establish it in order to guarantee the principles of independence, transparency, accountability and fairness.

The President also noted that "vibrant public debate" on the tribunal had resulted in or coincided with the Press Council's decision to review its Constitution with the aim or strengthening its self-regulatory mechanisms.

Zuma noted the intention was that the proposed tribunal would strengthen, complement and support self-regulatory institutions such as the Press Ombudsman.

According to the African National Congress (ANC) 2010 Discussion document on Media transformation, ownership and diversity, the 52nd National Conference Resolution tasked the organisation to investigate the desirability of setting up an independent statutory institution, established through an open, public and transparent process, and accountable to Parliament.

The resolution also called for the investigation to consider the mandate of the Media Appeals Tribunal and its power to adjudicate over complaints against print media.

According to the document, Parliament should be the one charged with the mandate in order to guarantee the principles of independence, transparency, accountability and fairness.

However, the proposed tribunal has been widely opposed and criticised by many quarters, who claim it is a means of intimidating journalists and limiting media freedom.