Some opposition political party members and their "allies" in the media were discrediting not only the government, but South Africa as a whole, according to Minister in the Office of the Presidency Essop Pahad.
Replying to a question in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday, he said they were constantly deflecting attention away from critically important matters of nation building and reconstruction.
"It is my view that elements within the opposition, aided and abetted by their allies in the media, constantly draw attention to and exploit the negative and ignore the positive things in South Africa.
"This, whether part of a concerted campaign or not, amounts to discrediting not only the government but the whole country."
There was also a pattern of highly personal attacks on President Thabo Mbeki.
Pahad said he had made it clear in previous speeches that the government believed the issue of freedom of expression "was non-negotiable".
Freedom of expression was enshrined in the Constitution, and government had never considered interfering with that right, he said.
The government required a media that was critical of government, but also balanced, comprehensive and fair, he said. - Sapa