The media news roundup for this Saturday includes important new rules from the FCC, ownership changes for two of the nation's largest news companies, an appeal from leading women's media advocacy group and a prominent White House correspondent busting a move.

This week, the US Federal Communications Commission narrowly agreed to new rules that allow media companies to own broadcast stations and newspapers in the same top 20 markets .pdf document. Free press and diversity advocates worry that the new rules, combined with ongoing media consolidation, will bring to life the old adage: "Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one."

The National Organization for Women sided with the two FCC commissioners who opposed the rule change:

"For decades, NOW and the NOW Foundation have petitioned the FCC, advocating for greater opportunities for women and people of color in the media industry. Two months ago NOW Foundation President Kim Gandy testified at an FCC hearing in Washington, D.C., on media ownership and the responsibility of TV and radio broadcasters to serve their local communities.

When Congress returns for session in the New Year, NOW will be issuing an action alert calling on all women's rights supporters to write to their members of Congress, urging them to repeal these new rules that favor big business over a vibrant media marketplace."

Columnist Richard Prince also cited concerns about the impact of the decision on women and minority ownership, but noted that the FCC also won praise from diversity advocates for a ruling banning racial discrimination in advertising. Under this rule, advertisers will no longer be able to exclude media outlets from advertising buys because the the racial composition of their audiences.

Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) denounced the change in the ownership rules, and urged congressional action. He is one of 25 senators who sent a protest letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin the day before the vote.

BuzzFlash named Martin Media Putz of the Week for the decision.

The FCC announcement comes in the same week as the announcement that billionaire Sam Zell concluded negotiations to buy the struggling Tribute Company, which owns the Chicago Tribune. Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun, Newsday, and the Chicago Cubs among other important properties. Gawker chided Zell on his grammar and grandiosity in an email to investors:

"Zell anounces an era in which the Tribune saves not just your soul but our nation's as well. 'We will take intelligent risks and reward innovation," he says. 'We will tear down bureaucracy and reward entrepreneurial spirit. We will compete fiercely but with integrity.' We will use anaphora! We will! We will!"

Muckety.com has a handy interactive chart with details on the new Tribune Company's board of directors. In Laurie Bennett's accompanying report Zell expressed impatience with the naysayers in the news industry:

“I’m sick and tired of listening to everybody talk about and commiserate over the end of newspapers,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “They ain’t ended and they’re not going to end. I think they have a great future.”

The Tribune sale comes on the heels of last week's conclusion of the sale of the Dow Jones Corporation to Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Industry watchers are still trying to glean what the News Corp takeover will mean for respected publications such as the Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, Women in Media and News, a prominent critic of sexism and racism in media, is appealing for help. Friend of BlogHer Jen Pozner says WIMN needs your tax-deductible donations build on 2007's accomplishments, which include:

"# Placed women as featured experts in major news outlets such as Fox, ABC News, MSNBC, PBS, NPR, and Pacifica Radio and in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Bitch, Ms., In These Times, the American Prospect, and many others.
"# Conducted media trainings for more than 20 women’s groups such as the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, the New Orleans Women’s Health and Justice Initiative, and Vibe Theater Experience, and led media literacy programs for more than 1,000 young people at colleges across the country.
"# Advocated for media justice in powerful arenas: Following conversations with WIMN, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards’ campaign began speaking publicly against media consolidation."

Finally, on a lighter note, did you catch NBC White House correspondent David Gregory getting his swerve on with Mary J. Blige on Friday's Today Show? Krista says, "[I]t's just too fly to ignore."

You can watch the video for the entire song here.