Senate to examine FCC media rules

December 13, 2007 Broadcasters and newspaper publishers have criticized the Martin plan to allow one company to own a newspaper and TV station in the top 20 markets if the TV station is not among the top four stations in that city as being too tame. The Tribune Co., which has the most at stake in the cross-ownership battle, has asked the federal appeals court to strike down the order, even as Martin's proposal appeared to be a gift to the company which numbers the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and several TV stations among its properties. "Unless Chairman Martin remedies procedural flaws, eliminates dangerous and vague exceptions, and thoroughly expands meaningful minority ownership and local programming needs, his plan will not serve the public interest or meet minimum legal fairness requirements for FCC rules," said a statement from Free Press, Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union.

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