Democratic and media activist criticism of the Federal Communications Commission's decision to loosen the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban was swift and pointed. They didn't like it and didn't see it as the modest compromise FCC chairman Kevin Martin suggested it was.

This from House Energy & Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.), who formally requested that Martin delay the vote:

"Despite specific bipartisan and bicameral opposition, the Federal Communications Commission acted arrogantly and brazenly today to weaken the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership ban. While the commission did tighten some loopholes in the rule, I am greatly displeased that the chairman chose to vote on this important issue a mere week after hundreds of pages of comment were submitted on his proposed rule. I question whether the commission gave adequate, or any, consideration to the public's input. I am also deeply dismayed that the commission granted dozens of waivers of the new rule without any opportunity for public comment ... The FCC is a creature of Congress, and these matters will be the subject of rigorous oversight by the Committee on Energy and Commerce."

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