Media law change set to benefit INM

SPECULATION is set to mount as to Independent News and Media’s (INM) plans for the Australian market, where it owns 40% of media giant APN.

The Australian Government is expected to announce, later this week, changes in the country’s media ownership laws.

The current laws state that newspaper publishers can’t buy television networks. They also make it difficult for foreign-based investors to expand heavily in the area. Non-Australian companies are limited to a 25% stake in metropolitan titles, 49.9% of regional publications, and 15% of Australian-based broadcasting businesses.