FCC Urged To Block Tribune TV Move

Groups opposed to media consolidation are asking to Federal Communications Commission to block the transfer of Tribune Co.'s TV stations to a group of creditors that is struggling to bring the financially beleaguered media company out of bankruptcy.

"Many of the same creditors that contributed to the ill-advised transaction that buried the Tribune Company in debt now seek unprecedented waivers to allow them to complete their looting of the assets of one of the nation's major media companies," the advocacy groups said. "Their applications should be dismissed or denied." The petition to deny was filed Monday night by Free Press, Media Alliance, NABET/CWA, National Hispanic Media Coalition, Office of Communication of the United Church of Christ and the Benton Foundation. The Tribune creditors have asked the FCC for the extension of waivers of media ownership limits so that they can own newspapers and broadcast stations in five markets, including Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as two TV stations in one of those markets, Hartford (CT).