FCC Relaxes Media Ownership Rules

The Federal Communications Commission overturned a 32-year ban Tuesday that prevented media companies from owning newspapers and broadcast outlets in the same markets.

Amid intense public outry, the measure was pushed through by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin with support from two fellow Republicans on the commission. Two Democrats opposed the measure.

Put in place by the FCC in 1975, the so-called cross-ownership ban is designed to promote a diversity of viewpoints on the airwaves in U.S. communities, as well as economic competition. Its opponents say the ban is outdated now that there has been a proliferation of new media outlets in recent years, and it's an onerous burden for the media industry.

"We cannot ignore the fact that the media marketplace is considerably different than it was when the newspaper broadcast cross-ownership was put in place more than 30 years ago," said Martin in a statement at the meeting.

Under the new rules, one entity will be permitted to own a newspaper and one broadcast station in the same market, but it will be limited to the 20 largest markets in the nation. Also, following the transaction, there must be at least eight independently owned and operated media voices remaining in the market, and the television station may not be among the top four in the market.