Media representatives debating a Press Freedom Commission’s report say changes to the way the media is regulated will have little practical effect.

Recommendations for reforming the press council have included a greater representation of citizens on the panels.

Informed by a fuzzy opinion that self-regulation has failed, it exposes the industry to manipulation

There is a great deal of important detail still to be finalised, but we should now put the idea of a statutory press commissariat behind us.

Joe Thloloe, South Africa’s press ombudsman, has been honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga (silver) during one of media’s most difficult times.

The ANC has welcomed the Press Freedom Commission’s findings into the press regulatory system, saying it is "legitimate regulation of the media".

NEWS ANALYSIS: There is little clarity about the form a media appeals tribunal is likely to take.

Ruling party’s participation in the hearings of the Press Freedom Commission comes as a surprise.

At the Press Freedom Commission hearings, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela called for the press ombud to be "beefed up" and given more autonomy.

Newspaper editors have warned the Press Freedom Commission that introducing a media appeals tribunal would be "the death knell of a free press".

The ANC still wants "independent regulation" for the media, arguing that self-regulatory efforts are undermined by vested interests.

The amended press code does not properly define or address plagiarism, editor Barney Mthombothi said at the Press Freedom Commission hearings.

The NUM says media houses have sufficient legislation to express themselves but a vacuum exists when it comes to holding newspapers to account.

Chaired by Pius Langa, the Press Freedom Commission is due to begin its first public hearings, in Cape Town, on the mooted regulation of print media.

The ANC has sharply criticised the newly formed Press Freedom Commission, saying its formation will not result in the required reform of the media.

The ruling party has sharply criticised the newly formed Press Freedom Commission, saying it would not result in the reforms the SA media requires.