Meanwhile, the Media Access Project, a public-interest law firm that helped overturn an even broader relaxation of the media ownership rules in 2003, signaled that it is prepared to return to court.

In a statement, a leading Democratic presidential contender, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., urged colleagues to move legislation that ensures a more “transparent and inclusive process” and seeks to improve ownership opportunities for women and minorities.

On Capitol Hill, Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is championing a bill designed to accomplish those goals and might introduce a resolution of disapproval that would nullify Tuesday’s FCC vote.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, said she was deeply troubled by the short time frame the commission provided citizens for comments on the revision.

While disappointed over FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s timetable for acting on the matter, Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee was encouraged that Martin sought to tighten the criteria for granting waivers from the ban outside the top 20 markets.

The Newspaper Association of America had a mixed reaction, applauding the vote while complaining that small- and medium-sized markets need more relief.

“The FCC has finally taken modest action to chip away at the obsolete newspaper cross-ownership ban after more than three decades,” President and Chief Executive Officer John Sturm said in a statement.

The FCC’s Tuesday public meeting was among the most divisive in its recent history, with the two Democratic commissioners – Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein -- publicly accusing Martin of cozying up to media conglomerates while ignoring the public’s opposition to his initiative.

Underscoring their ongoing complaints about Martin’s regulatory style, they noted that he waited until 9:45 p.m. Monday and 1:57 a.m. Tuesday to provide them with proposed alterations.

During a briefing, Martin insisted that the regulatory process was thorough and provided for substantial citizen input through nationwide field hearings.

“I do think at some point it was important for the commission to go forward,” he said, noting that the FCC was under a 2004 court order to review its media regulations.