Senate blocks US media reform

Some senators fear media companies will have too much power

The US Senate has voted to rescind new rules allowing large media companies to grow even bigger, in defiance of the Bush administration.

In a rare "measure of disapproval", the Republican-dominated Senate approved by 55 votes to 40 a resolution that would annul regulations agreed in June by the US's media regulator, the Federal Communications Commission.

These relax restrictions on the number of local stations television networks may own, and permit media conglomerates to own newspapers, television stations and radio outlets within the same market.

Television networks, for example, would be able to own local stations that collectively reach 45% of the national audience, up from 35% previously.

'Too much control'

Media companies had pushed for the changes, arguing that the old regulations hindered their growth and ability to compete in a market altered by cable television, satellite broadcasting and the internet.

But lawmakers from both parties and a broad range of groups say the new rules would give large media companies too much control over what people see, hear and read.

On 3 September, a federal appeals court in Philadelphia temporarily blocked the rules from taking effect the following day, as originally scheduled.

Several other legal challenges to the rules from broadcasters and consumer groups are pending.

The Senate's move still needs House of Representatives approval, and could be vetoed personally by President George W Bush if it reaches his desk.

But the House has already blocked the rules itself once.