The Government says it is moving to plug loopholes which have opened up in media regulation as broadcast, telecommunications and internet technologies converge.

It is looking at the potential for New Zealand to follow Australia and have the same regulator covering broadcasting and telecommunications media.

But initial consultation has shown more support for having two "converged" regulators, one dealing with economic and access issues, and the other responsible for social/cultural issues such as content.

"Digitisation and increasing convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and the internet are causing profound changes to the ways in which people access and use broadcasting-like content," Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

"We need to ensure that our regulatory regime is ... `future-proofed'."

Though audiences can increasingly choose what they watch, when and where, there are potential risks to universal access, compatibility of technologies and space for less "commercial" local and special interest content.

Government decisions will also determine whether broadcasters who also put news and other content on the internet should have to meet the same broadcasting standards, and whether those should be extended to other content providers.

Some industry observers have said imposing the standards met by free-to-air television and radio broadcasters on internet providers could stifle the freedom of expression and innovation new technologies can foster.

Mr Mallard and Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe have announced a review of digital broadcasting regulation and whether it "needs changing given the increasing convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and the internet".

Initial public consultation had highlighted the need for a competition study of issues around access to premium content such as sports events of national significance, and access for broadcasters to networks and technology platforms.

The Government is wrestling with ways in which it could ensure a higher degree of availability of live and free-to-air sporting events.

TV3 owner TVWorks has previously called for a law change that would force pay TV channel Sky to sell its terrestrial network, Prime, and Television New Zealand has described Sky as "too dominant".

TVNZ is reported to have asked the Government to stop Sky buying exclusive rights to sporting events, such as major rugby competitions, and to have alleged Sky is "hoarding" big sports events and charging fans a "sports tax" to watch them.

But Sky has claimed that major sporting codes would go bankrupt if the Government intervened.

Other competition issues include the copyright broadcasters exert over programme listings, effectively constraining the use of computerised recording which could automatically cut out the advertisements from broadcasts.

The ministers are also looking at options for enhancing public service broadcasting, such as whether all free-to-air channels should be available on both pay and free-to-air digital platforms, and content standards.

Most of the people responding to the initial consultation agreed on the need to improve diversity, maximum visibility and accessibility of publicly-funded programmes.

Mr Mallard said a strong public broadcasting presence is important for the nation's culture and identity.

It was an "incredibly complex" area which increased the importance of getting the regulatory framework right rather than rushing any changes.

Culture and Heritage and Economic Development ministries will report to cabinet by August 31 2009.