* Critics say media laws will crush investigative reports
* MPs consider state secrets bill that worries investors
* ANC reassures markets on rand and mines
(Adds comments from Zuma, ANC spokesman, details)
By Jon Herskovitz
DURBAN, Sept 22 (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress pressed on Wednesday for a new tribunal to punish unscrupulous reporting that has been heavily criticised as a plan to muzzle the media.
The ANC's media panel met behind closed doors at the party's National General Council, one of its most important political events in years, to iron out details of the plan enthusiastically embraced by its leaders.
The influential international media group, the Committee to Protect Journalists, has said the media rules are reminiscent of draconian apartheid-era press laws and could stunt democracy.
The proposed Media Appeals Tribunal is designed to investigate complaints and punish irresponsible reporting, the ANC has said.
Media organisations said the tribunal was a bid to crush investigative reporters who regularly expose corruption and hold the government accountable in a country where the ANC has a near two-thirds majority in parliament.
Separately, parliament is considering an information bill ANC lawmakers said is designed to protect state secrets, but which media groups believe could hinder investigations.
If passed, the bill would also restrict access to information from regulators and state-owned enterprises. Critics say that could cut investors off from information affecting equity, treasury and foreign exchange markets..
OPEN ARMS FOR BUSINESS
During the first two days of the week-long meeting, the ANC eased concerns among investors by rejecting proposals to drastically devalue the rand and nationalise mines in the world's fourth largest gold producer.
There had been speculation President Jacob Zuma could try to adopt left-leaning policies proposed by allies including the powerful labour federation COSATU to help mend strained relations with the group and firm up his popular support.
Zuma reassured investors that he was pro-business as he toured a corporate exhibition hall near ANC deliberation venues.
"Business (and) the ruling party don't have a problem. We are together," Zuma said. Zuma's financial policy makers have mostly steered clear of imposing new regulations on firms that drive the economy, part of the G20 group of powers.
Zuma risks leaving the meeting in a weakened position if he cannot win back traditional supporters on the left or find new ones among the pro-business ranks in his divided ANC. That could hurt him over the remainder of his term expiring in 2014.
Separately, an ANC spokesman tried to ease concerns about a costly plan to speed up the expansion of national health insurance, saying it would not result in a tax increase for a budget already under strain by a wage raise deal to end a strike by about 1.3 million state workers.
Jackson Mthembu said the ANC was not expecting more taxes to pay for the scheme but could find the funds its needs "from taxes that are at this point in time in existence."
But Nomura International emerging markets economist Peter Attard Montalto said he expected tax increases.
"As we expected, taxes will therefore be rising sooner rather than later. There will be additional payroll taxes and VAT. We expect these to start mid next year in preparation for NHI the following year," Attard Montalto said in a research note.
Apart from the media debate, one ANC panel was discussing policy toward the rand. The central bank and the South African government have worried about the impact of a strong rand on exports and manufacturing.
The rand hit a new 2-1/2 year high of 6.98 against the dollar on Wednesday and has gained almost 27 percent since the start of 2009. (Additional reporting by Peroshni Govender; Editing by Marius Bosch and Ralph Boulton)