By: Gannett Co. publisher of USA Today, late Tuesday criticized the Federal Communication Commission's proposed elimination of a ban on radio and television broadcasters owning newspapers in the nation's largest media markets as being far too limited.
Gannett also said the proposed rule "does not reflect the realities of the marketplace."
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin decided to focus on the newspaper rule only and declined to act on other media ownership rules up for consideration. The proposal still requires a full vote of the commission, with a date yet to be set.
Under the proposal, one entity would be allowed to own a paper and one radio station or television station but only if it is in one of the 20 largest markets in the country. After the transaction, at least eight independently owned and operated media voices must remain and the television station may not be among the top four in the market.
The company would also have to show the combined entity would increase the amount of local news in the market and that both outlets will continue to exercise independent news judgment.
Gannett publishes 85 daily newspapers and owns nearly 1,000 U.S. non-daily publications, as well as weekly newspaper magazine USA Weekend. The company also operates 23 television stations and runs Web sites sponsored by the stations and newspapers.
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