FCC Chmn. Martin faces a challenge getting a unanimous vote on a ...

dissenting, is possible if the order isn’t revised to obligate broadcasters to take steps such as reporting how much locally produced content they carry, we're told. Martin and the Democrats still could come to terms. A final tally hovering late yesterday (Thurs.) was postponed, said a source. Instead, the 2 sides will negotiate, we're told. An FCC spokesman declined to comment. Activists want radio stations to have to tell the FCC which programs they carry on multicast signals, said Georgetown U. Law Prof. Angela Campbell: “Because it is nascent, you need to know how it’s developing, what are broadcasters using it for, how are they serving the public.” The NAB hopes to see digital radio rules adopted quickly, a spokesman said: “It makes no sense to saddle this emerging technology with program mandates that could stifle consumer choice and format diversity.” A split FCC vote could signal agency Republicans’ lack of enthusiasm for public interest rules, said Media Access Project Pres. Andrew Schwartzman: Requiring a payback to the public in the form of public service does not seem to be a high priority for the Commission majority.” - JM