In a discussion document next month, culture secretary Jeremy Hunt is to open a dialogue with the media industry to consider if the UK's public interest rules should be broadened.

At the moment the public interest rules may only be used in a merger situation, and cannot be used just because a media group seeks economic growth. Hunt has admitted this is a problem.

A change in the rules could mean further sanctions for Rupert Murdoch's News Corp conglomerate - who succeeded in their buyout of Sky earlier this month - if they were to increase influence without more acquisitions.

A green paper on the issue will be introduced later this year.