News Corp could face fresh restrictions under media law reforms

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy (left) is expected to argue for a tort of privacy and change in ownership rules to include the pay TV network Foxtel, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited. Photo: Andrew Meares

Gemma Daley and James Chessell

Federal cabinet will consider a package of wide-ranging media reforms including new rules that would ­prevent Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp­oration from expanding its influence by acquiring free-to-air ­television or radio businesses.

It is understood cabinet will review the much-delayed package of media reforms as soon as Monday. It includes a code of ethics for journalists, a tort of privacy and increased Australian content rules for FTA networks.

The reforms come after two probes of the media industry – the Convergence Review and the Finkelstein inquiry.

But it is believed that some of the findings of Ray Finkelstein’s 468-page report have been watered down, including the prospect of a “fit and proper person” test for media ownership and the extension of media regulation to cover online news sites with a minimum of 15,000 hits a year.

Click here for the full story from The Australian Financial Review

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