• by Wayne Friedman , December 14, 2007

Under attack from a number of sectors, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin wants to establish a rule requiring local stations to offer more local programming.

In speaking with the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, Martin also said he wants to set up permanent local boards to advise stations on what to air. These rules are expected to be under discussion at the FCC's open meeting on Dec. 18.

Local programming should not be limited to what TV stations offer in terms of news programming--which is already extensive. It should be other programming, said Martin. However, he didn't offer specifics.

Martin says the Internet makes it easy for public and government officials to discuss the kind of programming they believe is necessary for local stations to air. He says stations should offer "a significant amount of locally oriented programming."

Also on Thursday, Senate Commerce Committee chairman Daniel Inouye pledged an overhaul of the Federal Communications Commission in 2008, including potentially the terms of commissioners.

One member of that committee, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.), said the FCC was more concerned with policies that serve the needs of the companies they regulate than it was in protecting the public interest.