Govt reluctant on quick media rule changes

The federal government is reluctant to make any changes to media laws until it can be sure it's doing the right thing and there's a degree of consensus in the industry.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull is working hard to achieve that consensus on changes to `reach rules', which stop commercial free-to-air broadcasters from taking over the regional stations, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament on Thursday.

Without it, the government risked taking sides in a commercial dispute, which was "the last thing any sensible government would want to do", he said.