• Reuters, Thursday, October 25, 2007 11:15 AM

Two U.S. senators are threatening to introduce bipartisan legislation that would bar the Federal Communication Commission from acting too quickly to ease the rules on media ownership. Sen. Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, and Trent Lott, a Republican from Mississippi, say they are considering a bill to nullify the FCC decision expected on Dec. 18.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has said he wants the agency to wrap up its examination of media ownership and reach a decision by December 18 on how many media outlets one entity can own in a single market. Martin is playing it cagey on what he wants, but Dorgan says it is "certain" Martin would propose to lift restrictions on cross-ownership between newspapers and radio and television stations, along with easing of other ownership rules.

A spokeswoman for the FCC declines comment. Consumer groups and Democrats on the FCC are worried that further consolidation will eliminate independent voices and harm local news coverage.

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