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One Nation strikes media reform deal

Pauline Hanson said she was genuinely concerned for the media industry's future.

Pauline Hanson said she was genuinely concerned for the media industry's future. Photo: ABC

Pauline Hanson says the government has agreed to undertake a “competitive neutrality” inquiry into the ABC in exchange for One Nation’s support for media reforms.

Senator Hanson says she has also received assurances the government will ask the ABC to detail the wages and conditions of all staff earning more than $200,000.

The government has also agreed to legislate a requirement for the public broadcaster to be “fair and balanced”, the One Nation leader said on Tuesday afternoon.

“While I’ve had a hot and cold relationship with what many call ‘fake news’ media, there’s nothing fake about my very real concern for the future of our Australian media,” she said in a statement.

The Greens and Nick Xenophon Team remain locked in negotiations with the Turnbull government over its plans to reform media ownership.

The key sticking point is the repeal of the two out of three rule, which bars a person owning licences for TV, radio and newspapers in a single market.

All non-government parties have expressed concern about the change, saying it could reduce Australia’s media diversity, which is already concentrated in a few hands.

Senator Xenophon has signalled he is close to finalising a package of amendments, which he says would improve the quality of journalism and breadth of news coverage.

The government needs 10 extra votes to get its bill through the Senate.

-AAP

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