The Republican FCC chairman is under pressure from Congress and advocacy groups to delay a planned Dec. 18 vote on easing the ban prohibiting one entity from owning a newspaper and broadcast station in the same market. On Thursday, House Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., and Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., the panel's Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee chairman, became the latest members to seek a delay, which they said is necessary to allow for sufficient public input.

But Martin's comments during a Tuesday conference call with reporters suggest he is moving on a fast track. He has circulated among his four agency colleagues a localism report accompanied by proposed rules designed to increase the amount of community news and civic-minded fare on local television stations.

"I anticipate us taking action on that either before or at the same time as we're doing anything on ownership," he said.

Meanwhile, government and industry sources said Martin has added an item to the agenda of the agency's tentatively scheduled Nov. 27 public meeting that would let digital broadcasters lease ancillary channels to eligible minorities, women and small businesses. The affected stations would be guaranteed cable carriage.

Brian Dietz, spokesman for the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, complained that the arrangement would broaden the must-carry rules governing cable carriage of broadcast signals when the FCC has previously rejected any expansion.

Discussing efforts to improve paltry minority ownership numbers, Martin said he wants additional proposals from outside groups brought to a vote.

Martin's efforts appear aimed at satisfying demands from Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Trent Lott, R-Miss., among others, for the agency to complete several media-related proceedings before tackling a larger ownership review.

But these and other members want Martin to go even further. Dorgan has introduced legislation requiring the agency to complete action on localism under a 90-day comment window and create an independent panel on strengthening female and minority ownership before considering changes to the ownership rules under an additional 90-day comment period.

The senator's spokesman did not have an immediate reaction to Martin's plans.

Emphasizing that it is difficult to comment on initiatives he has not seen, Craig Aaron, the spokesman for the advocacy group Free Press, said it appears that Martin's approach is insufficient.

"The bottom line is, when it comes to [strengthening] minority media ownership, you have to deal with consolidation," he said, adding that the increased concentration sought by the chairman undermines opportunities for minorities. Aaron echoed the concern that the public is not being afforded enough time for feedback.