Senators gave a strong message to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, to delay the planned December 18th vote on loosening the media ownership rules.

A Senate committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation that would halt for at least six months a proposal to let companies own a newspaper and broadcast station in the same city, although the bill is unlikely to pass in front of Congress before the planned FCC vote.

Lawmakers have said that Martin is circumventing proper procedure in trying to allow companies to own a newspaper and broadcast station in the 20 largest U.S. markets.

The lawmakers want to delay the proposal to allow more time for public comment and for the FCC to complete a review of ways to ensure that broadcasters serve their local communities, and take steps to increase ownership of TV and radio stations by women and minorities.

The FCC's two Democrats, Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein, have criticized Martin for trying to rush through his cross-ownership rule change. Martin, a Republican, will get another strong message today before a House oversight subcommittee where he is expected to face questioning over the controversial proposal.

This follows the recent approval of a two year waiver of the owenership rules that was granted to Tribune Co. by the FCC.

Source : LA Times through Media Bistro