Senate votes to void rule on media ownership

WASHINGTON — The Senate late Thursday voted to nullify a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that allows media companies to own a newspaper and a television station in the same market.

The unusual "resolution of disapproval," sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and 26 other senators, was approved by a voice vote.

Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has described the agency's action as a "relatively minor loosening" of broadcast media-ownership restrictions. The rule was approved by the FCC on a 3-2 party-line vote in December with both Democrats dissenting.

The FCC decision allows one company to own a newspaper and a broadcast station in the nation's 20 largest metropolitan areas. The TV station may not be among the top four in the market, and post-transaction, at least eight independent media voices must remain. The rule replaced an outright ban on cross-ownership.

Advocacy groups fear the cross-ownership loosening will spread beyond the top 20 markets and that companies, such as Tribune, Media General and Gannett, will buy competitors in smaller cities. Opponents, including Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen, say it would concentrate too much control over local news and information in the hands of too few owners.

The House also is considering a nullification of the ownership rule, but even if supporters are successful, the measure likely would be rejected by President Bush.

Deal may be near on mortgage relief

Senate negotiators broke off talks late Thursday without striking a deal to rescue hundreds of thousands of homeowners at risk of foreclosure, but they said they were close to an agreement.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the panel's senior Republican, said they plan to meet again Tuesday to discuss the proposal to help troubled borrowers trade exotic mortgages with escalating monthly payments for more-affordable loans backed by the federal government.

"This is like keeping frogs in a wheelbarrow: When you get one thing done, something else can jump out," Dodd said a few hours before calling the talks to a conclusion for the night. But, he added, "I'm pretty optimistic."

In addition to helping as many as 500,000 families avoid foreclosure, the measure would strengthen regulation of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The measure under discussion in the Senate is similar to one that passed the House last week. The White House has threatened a veto, citing the potential cost to taxpayers as a primary concern.

Also

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., gave birth Thursday to a healthy boy, a day after voting on a major piece of legislation. The delivery makes her the sixth woman to have a child while a member of Congress. It was not clear how soon Gillibrand, 41, would return to her official duties.

Seattle Times news services