Australia and Asia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, reportedly asked for a seat on the board of Fairfax Media when she met with the company's chairman, Roger Corbett, and chief executive, Greg Hywood, on Tuesday.

The Australian Financial Review, owned by Fairfax, reported the request of Ms Rinehart. It said the board is considering the request.

Ms Rinehart, who became the largest Fairfax shareholder after she hiked her holding to 12.6 per cent in January, also has a seat on the Ten Network Holdings' board since December 2010 after she increased her stake at the TV network to 10 per cent.

The news came just days after Treasurer Wayne Swan, in published essay this month where he criticised Ms Rinehart and two other billionaires - Andrew Forrest and Clive Palmer - for using their wealth to be able to have more control over media where they could air their position on national issues such as the mining tax and carbon tax.

Her visit to Fairfax also came just right after the New South Wales Supreme Court rejected her petition to keep secret details of an ongoing family court feud due to risks to the Rinehart family's security. Observers link her acquisition of a larger stake at Fairfax to have a greater say on Fairfax editorial policy, possibly including reportage of her court battles.

Fairfax, in a statement, said Ms Rinehart was offered an investor briefing and she accepted the invitation. Mr Hywood debunked the accusation that Ms Rinehart was attempting to wield more media influence.

"We've got Australia's most successful business person investing in our company... she's invested in our business with the expectation of making money and to e that's a thumbs up for Fairfax and we welcome her onto the register," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Mr Hywood.

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