FCC Proposal Would Allow Nation's Media Giants to Grow Bigger.

By Todd J. Gillman, The Dallas Morning News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

May 13--WASHINGTON -- The nation's media giants could grow bigger, and single companies could own newspapers and television stations -- or multiple TV stations -- in more cities under a proposal the Federal Communication Commission staff submitted on Monday.

Industry groups call the changes a long-overdue departure from rules set in the time before cable TV and the Internet. But consumer advocates and other critics, including dissenters within the FCC, say that the new rules would set off a wave of mergers and acquisitions that would undermine good journalism and quality entertainment.

The five FCC commissioners are scheduled to vote on the proposal in three weeks. While …