FCC Chief Won't Delay Media Vote

FCC chief Kevin Martin will push ahead with a vote next week to allow media companies to own a broadcasting station and newspaper in the same city, the Wall Street Journal reports. The move comes despite heavy criticism from senators who say he's rushing into a major policy change without enough study. The five-member FCC is expected to approve the measure along party lines.

Insiders say there has been little discussion among the FCC members about the change, which Martin proposed last month. Media companies want the rules to be eased more, and consumer groups want them tightened, saying consolidation leads to a reduction of local news and diversity. (More FCC stories.)