There is growing fears that the government is seeking to muzzle the press as the ruling ANC party supports the formation of media regulations in South Africa. The African National Congress is in the final stages of deciding on a Media Appeals Tribunal, while Parliament is mulling the Protection of Information Bill, which mediapersons claim would limit investigative news coverage. According to the ruling party, the media tribunal, first mooted in 2007, aims to adjudicate complaints on media reports so that mediaperson are legally accountable. Media reports on lavish spending by the government, particularly on luxury vehicles, have irritated the ruling ANC. There is growing concern among mediapersons and civil society over the government's move, many comparing it to "the dark days of apartheid". Critics say the ANC would be recreating the restrictions of the past with the Protection of Information Bill, criticised even within the party, which is currently in Parliament. Media houses have called for the current self-regulation by the Press Council to continue. The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) have both expressed strong opposition to the proposal as being unconstitutional and have vowed to fight it in court. The latter is also an alliance partner with the ruling ANC. Sanef chairperson, Mr Mondli Makhanya, said there was a "mobilisation against the media", warning that it was likely that the ANC government would pass the Media Appeals Tribunal for print media through Parliament by the end of the year. However, government spokesperson,Mr Themba Maseko, made it clear that there is no plan on the part of this government to muzzle the media. "What we can state without any reservations here is that there is not an intention or a plan on the part of this government to muzzle the media in any shape or form," Mr Maseko said. "We understand that a lot of things that have taken place currently, (such as) the Protection of Information Bill (and) the proposal of a media tribunal… are contributing to a climate where a perception could emerge that there is a government plan to muzzle the media, but I want to make it very clear that there isn't such a plan on the part of the government," he said.