Media ownership reforms pass lower house

The Turnbull government's proposed changes to media ownership laws have passed parliament's lower house.

The reform package scraps the so-called reach rule, which prohibits a company controlling commercial TV licences which reach more than 75 per cent of the population.

It also removes the two-out-of-three rule, which prevents a proprietor controlling more than two of three radio, TV and newspapers in one area.

Labor agrees with repealing the reach rule but voted down the bill because it does not support getting rid of the cross-media ownership rule.

It unsuccessfully tried to split the bill, with the government insisting it remain one package.

It will again be left up to the Senate crossbench to decide if the changes get through.