Kevin Martin, the chairman of the FCC, this week has proposed easing a 35-year-old rule that has prohibited newspapers in large markets from owning broadcast stations.

The proposal, which is expected to come up for a vote on December 18, would allow newspapers in the top 20 media markets to buy one television or radio station, provided that the station is not one of the four most-watched stations in the market.

The cross-ownership ban went into effect in 1972, at a time when the FCC was becoming concerned about big city newspapers and TV stations dominating news coverage in a market.

Locally, the Tribune company has enjoyed the benefit having their assets “grandfathered” into the policy, allowing them to own a newspaper, TV, and radio station in the same market. However, the Trib, along with several other companies that own both print and broadcast properties, would like to see the ban eliminated altogether.