WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission wants to eliminate a ban on radio and television broadcasters owning newspapers, but only in the nation's largest media markets.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, a Republican, focused on the newspaper ban only and declined to act on other media ownership rules up for consideration. The proposal still requires a full vote of the commission.

"I think this is both a moderate and a fair proposal," Martin said yesterday. He said he is optimistic there will be a vote on Dec. 18.

Talk of lifting the cross-ownership ban has met with stiff resistance from public interest groups and commission Democrats as well as on Capitol Hill.

Martin opted not to pursue complete removal of the ban. Under his proposal, one entity would be permitted to own a newspaper and one radio station or television station, but only if it is in one of the nation's 20 largest markets.

After the transaction, at least eight independently owned and operated media voices must remain in the market, and the television station may not be among the market's top four.

The companies would also have to show that the combined entity would increase the amount of local news in the market and that both outlets would exercise independent news judgment.

Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps, who has fought loosening of media rules, said Martin's proposal is much more far-reaching than he is portraying.

"This is not, to my way of looking, a very modest proposal," Copps said yesterday. "I think it could do considerable damage."

The top 20 markets, he said, represent "over 43 percent of U.S. households."

Martin cited a changing media marketplace for his decision to loosen the 32-year-old ban, noting that when it was created, cable television was new and neither direct broadcast satellite television nor the Internet existed.

He justified the loosening of the rule by noting that stock prices of newspapers are dropping and they are losing revenue and circulation. He said at least 300 daily newspapers have stopped publishing over the past 30 years.

The last time the commission approved new rules on media ownership was in 2003. Most of that decision, which would have loosened the ownership restrictions, was tossed out by a federal appeals court.

Martin said his proposal effectively ends the commission's current media ownership proceeding, meaning there will be no loosening of rules on radio and television station ownership in local markets.

Sens. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Trent Lott, R-Miss., have introduced legislation that would impose a 90-day delay on any FCC decision regarding media ownership rules. Dorgan released a statement yesterday objecting to the plan.

Comments on Martin's proposal will be accepted until Dec. 11.