FCC Votes 3-2 to Ease Ownership Rule

It wasn't pretty, but Kevin Martin got the job done.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved a limited relaxation of its rule banning cross-ownership of a newspaper and a TV or radio station in the same market. Martin, the commission's chairman, got the backing of his two fellow Republicans in the vote; the two Democrats voted against the rule change.

Free Press, a group that opposes media consolidation, responded with a statement:

"FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is ignoring the public will and defying the U.S. Senate. His decision to gut longstanding ownership rules shows once again how the largest media companies -- with their campaign contributions and high-powered lobbyists -- are corrupting the policymaking process at the expense of local news coverage and independent voices.

"Martin's FCC relied on slanted research and a rigged process to reach today's preordained outcome -- local media wrapped in a bow for Tribune, News Corp., Gannett and all the rest."

Etc., etc.

Meanwhile, a group of 25 senators sent Martin a letter yesterday threatening to pass legislation reversing the rule change. We'll see where that goes.