Murdoch queries media law change proposals

Proposed changes to media laws in Australia have been criticised by News Corp boss Rupert Murdoch.

News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch

News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch. (AAP)

News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch says proposed Australian media reforms are aimed at favouring free-to-air commercial TV operators.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull is working on policy proposals to take to cabinet to overhaul long-standing media rules.

He's understood to be considering changes to the rules that prevent cross-ownership of radio, television and newspapers in the same market.

The plan is also expected to cover possible changes allowing consolidation between regional and city networks.

"Turnbull's plans to scrap certain rules suit buddies at Nine," Mr Murdoch tweeted on Monday.

"Can't oppose dumping all regs (regulations) but not this. Nice to see how MT (Mr Turnbull) plays."

News Corp, which owns half of pay TV provider Foxtel, fears that changes to the rules to force the company to seek the permission of free-to-air broadcasters to rebroadcast their signal could lead to it being charged fees.

These fees would then need to be passed on to customers.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said the government would not rush to change media regulations, but if and when it acted it would be "in a deregulatory direction".

Treasurer Joe Hockey has said that governments around the world are increasingly losing the power to regulate the media market due to technological change.

"We've got to, as a government, facilitate change rather than try to regulate change," he told a business forum last week.

Under the "two out of three" rule, no company is allowed to control more than two out of three media platforms in any one market.

Free to air TV networks believe the reach rule has outlived its purpose.


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Source: AAP


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