Vote for democracy

Deborah Tate and Robert McDowell are currently the most important people to American democracy. Either of the two Republicans on the Federal Communications Commission can stop media conglomerates from devouring what is left of the nation's independent press.

A "no" vote against a plan to erase the current media cross-ownership ban would mean joining the commission's two Democrats. This would be a courageous action against the FCC's Republican chairman. Tate and McDowell find themselves in this pivotal role by the stubborn insistence of FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who has called for a Tuesday vote to lift the cross-ownership ban. The rule bars a company from owning a newspaper, television station and radio station in the same market. Martin's proposal would allow for a company to own a newspaper and broadcast outlet in the top 20 markets. The plan is made worse by a loophole that allows for cross-ownership in any market.

Martin's insistence on a vote is perplexing and frustrating. He ignores FCC studies showing media concentration degrades local news. The chairman thumbs his nose at the paltry number of women and minorities who are media owners. Again, it has been proven that female and minority media ownership suffers in more-concentrated markets.

Martin's tunnel vision was on display last week at a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing. Martin was asked by Democrats Maria Cantwell and John Kerry to delay the vote. He refused, and managed to evade question after question from the committee.

Martin's relentless drive for consolidation does not bode well for any behind-the-scenes negotiation. Neither is this vote good for a democracy that depends on an independent press.

McDowell's and Tate's decision is not as hard as it may seem. They should vote against Martin, and vote for democracy.