Technology | FCC FCC Chief Won't Delay Media Vote Defiant Martin wants to relax ownership rules in broadcast, print By Jim O'Neill Posted Dec 14, 2007 10:31 AM CST Copied Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin speaks during a hearing on localism, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007, at the FCC headquarters in Washington. (Associated Press) 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. Read These Next Police pin blame for airport fiasco on Nancy Mace. Trump doesn't want Clarence Thomas or Samuel Alito to retire. President Trump begins campaign to turn the affordability narrative. China hits an unprecedented economic milestone. Report an error