The chief executives of Media General Inc. and Gannett Co. lobbied the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to obtain waivers to rules that limit broadcast and newspaper ownership in the same markets.

The FCC approved the waivers Tuesday, which allow Media General to continue running newspapers and TV stations in four markets in the southeast United States, and also allow Gannett to keep assets in Phoenix, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

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The chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is standing firm against pressure from U.S. lawmakers who want him to delay the vote next week on the new media ownership rule that, if passed, would eliminate a ban that does not allow a broadcaster to own a newspaper in the same city in the 20 largest markets in the United States.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and four of his commissioners were questioned today at an oversight hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee.

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Journalists across Pakistan observed International Human Rights Day, called by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), by holding rallies, demonstrations and seminars against the curbs on media and the announcements of two anti-press laws.

Rallies were held in different parts of the country, including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Faisalabad, Sukkur and Quetta. Lawyers, members of the civil society and students also took part and expressed solidarity with the PFUJ against the media curbs.

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