Conservative commentator Janet Albrechtsen has emerged as a frontunner for an influential position overseeing appointments to the ABC and SBS boards.

The four-person nomination panel, which is appointed by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, currently has two vacancies.

Janet Albrechtsen Credit:Robert Pearce

Under the merit-based board appointment process introduced by Labor in 2011, the nomination panel provides the government with a shortlist of around three candidates for vacant board positions. SBS currently has two vacant board positions - including the position of chairman - and the ABC has one vacant position.

Ms Albrechtsen, a columnist with The Australian, confirmed she had been in discussions about the role but said: ''Nothing has been finalised.''