Nationals leader Warren Truss has backed sweeping changes to the charter and board structure of the ABC, while calling for the public broadcaster to be forced to air television news services in regional areas as well as radio broadcasts.

Mr Truss, currently serving as acting prime minister, also said he would push for local content requirements for commercial television networks to be included as part of a forthcoming deregulation of the media sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will announce his retirement. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield is preparing changes to media ownership regulations, which is likely to include scrapping the 75 per cent "reach" rule for television broadcasters and the "two out of three" rule banning companies from owning a television network, radio station and newspaper in the same market. Abolishing the reach rule would allow major television networks to take over regional broadcasters and create national networks.

Nationals MPs are pushing for a new "local presence" requirement to be introduced for regional broadcasters to ensure they continue filming news stories in their local communities. The idea has alarmed some regional TV networks, which see it as overly onerous.