Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte said today that he hopes online media will be covered by the Defamation Act in the future.

Addressing a conference on media diversity in Dublin, Pat Rabbitte said our defamation laws have yet to come to terms with the rise and proliferation of new media.

The Press Council, which regulates the print media, is investigating whether some sectors of the online media will volunteer to come under the auspices of the Defamation Act.

"The protection of the Defamation Act is given to members of the council," said the Minister.

"Of course, that hasn't happened with the online media, and I think they're looking at whether you can identify segments of online media that might willingly subscribe to the protections of the Press Council, and membership of the Press Council.

"It’s very complex, and there's no point in pretending otherwise, it is very difficult, but it's a face of modern life."