Tristani Leaves FCC

By: Todd Shields Democrat Gloria Tristani, a vigorous proponent of broadcast ownership restrictions during nearly four years on the Federal Communications Commission, said Monday she would leave the Republican-dominated regulatory body. Her departure leaves President Bush to name another Democrat as his fifth appointment to the five-member body, which by law carries a three-member majority for the party holding the White House.

Tristani, who is widely expected to run for public office in her native New Mexico, is a vigorous proponent of the federal cross-ownership rule that restricts common ownership of daily newspapers and nearby broadcast stations.

FCC Chairman Michael Powell, a Republican, is eager to commence a review of the rule. That could lead the FCC to weaken or eliminate the regulation, setting up a battle with Senate Democrats intent on preserving the rule.

Tristani set her resignation date for Sept. 7, and said she would soon return to New Mexico.

"It has been a great honor to serve as a member of the FCC," Tristani said in a statement issued by her office. "The FCC is entrusted with enhancing communications for all Americans, and I will always value the agency's core mission: to serve the public interest."