61.   And others are jockeying for position ahead of new legislation liberalizing TV ownership rules.

62.   Canberra, he said, would be open to any recommendations on cross-media ownership rules in an upcoming review of its broadcasting legislation.

63.   The ruling came as the Australian government undertakes a review of media ownership rules barring television operators from also controlling newspapers, and vice versa.

64.   There have been calls for that review to be extended to foreign ownership rules.

65.   New media ownership rules may be announced by government.

66.   Prime Minister John Howard said Monday that Australian media ownership rules would be changed and rejected a charge that he favours Kerry Packer over rival tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

67.   The Australian government has toughened media ownership rules but denied Wednesday that the moves were aimed at media magnate Kerry Packer.

68.   The conservative Coalition has promised to review those media ownership rules.