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From: USA TODAY

FCC chief to adjust plan on media ownership rules
By Paul Davidson

In a nod to big-media critics, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Monday night said he will temper his planned relaxation of media ownership rules before an FCC vote today.

Kevin Martin said the latest change would make newspaper-broadcast mergers in smaller markets more difficult than under the plan he originally proposed.

from: Ars Technica

New bill would stop FCC's cable regulation attempt

By Nate Anderson | Published: December 10, 2007 - 03:00PM CT

What happens when a large and powerful US industry decides that it doesn't like a law? Simple: it works to change that law. AT&T has had notable success this year at pushing legislation for state governments to bypass local controls and give the company a statewide video franchise. Not to be left out, cable has mounted a lobbying offensive of its own in the wake of the FCC's attempt to regulate the industry. The effort is now paying fruit in Washington.

from: Free Press Action Network

The FCC’s 12 Days of Christmas

From Free Press Action Network, December 7, 2007
By Josh Stearns

At a time when the din of rehashed holiday music pipes through every loudspeaker in every shopping mall and public square, there are some carolers in Chicago who are giving new life to these tired tunes.

from: Variety

Congressional probe targets Martin
Investigation targets FCC chairman
By WILLIAM TRIPLETT

Having recently angered almost everybody, Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin J. Martin is now the target of a congressional investigation into whether he is abusing his authority and if his leadership has led to "a breakdown in proper procedure at the FCC."

from: The Onion

November 28, 2007 | Issue 43•48
FCC Eyeing Cable Regulation

The Federal Communications Commission will vote on placing a number of restrictions and regulations on the unregulated cable industry. Here are some of the proposed changes.

predictable . . .

from: Radio Ink

NAB Responds To LPFM Changes

WASHINGTON -- November 28, 2007: "NAB is pleased that the commission clarified that LPFM stations must indeed be locally owned with locally originated programming and limits ownership to one station per licensee," said NAB EVP Dennis Wharton in response to the FCC's changes to its low-power FM rules .

Low-Power Radio Gets Boost from FCC

From Prometheus Radio Project, November 28, 2007

Low Power Radio Stations were given a boost yesterday at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which passed a package of reforms to improve the rules which govern these small stations run by schools, churches, immigrant groups, local governments and neighborhood organizations. The FCC order provided immediate relief on numerous longstanding administrative problems for these small stations. The actions also implemented short term fixes on major challenges for low power stations, and outlined remaining issues that will be resolved over the next 6 months.

from: NY Times

November 29, 2007
Size Limits for Cable Look Likely

By STEPHEN LABATON
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 — Coming off a setback at the hands of the cable television industry, the head of the Federal Communications Commission moved to reassert himself on Wednesday by proposing that the commission quickly adopt a rule that would prevent Comcast, the nation’s biggest cable company, from becoming larger, commission officials said.

from: Wet Machine

Quick On Cable: Martin and Copps Pull Out A Partial Win By Persuading Adelstein To Meet Them Halfway

Well, I'll have a lot more to say over the next few days. And there were a bunch of very good Orders that came out on other subjects, like Low Power FM and mandatory disclosure requirements for broadcasters. But here's the summary:

from: Reuters

FCC backs away from cable regulation plan

By Reuters
Published: November 27, 2007, 7:30 PM PST

WASHINGTON--The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday backed away from a proposal by the agency's chairman that would open the door to broader regulation of cable TV operators.