Law

A spokesman for FCC Chairman Kevin Martin confirmed that there is an agreement in principle to approve the XM Satellite Radio-Sirius Satellite Radio merger after Martin and swing vote Deborah Taylor Tate came to an agreement on terms essentially the same, with a few changes, as ones proposed by XM and Sirius in a letter to the FCC last month.

The nation's two satellite radio companies have agreed to pay $19.7 million to settle rules violations, a move that is expected to lead to quick approval of their merger.

NBC and Fox have teamed up and filed a joint lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court against the Internet site Redlasso — which streams TV clips for free to bloggers — claiming that the Web site is stealing their programming.

Clear Channel Communications Inc. said Wednesday that it has settled lawsuits with the Tribune Co. over the Chicago-based media company's recent hiring of several executives from the radio giant.

The proposed merger of the Sirius and XM appeared close to final approval Wednesday night, with the sole undecided member of the FCC poised to support the deal if the companies settle past rules violations.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey calls a proposed shield law a solution in search of a problem, while advocate Rep. Mike Pence says it's a response to increasing erosion of freedom of the press.

At a forum Tuesday sponsored by the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council, former FCC Chairman William Kennard, speaking for Obama, and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce John Kneuer, speaking for McCain, offered sharply different views of the Federal Communications Commission's future under their candidates.

As the investigation of claims that KYW Philadelphia anchor Larry Mendte had hacked fellow anchor Alycia Lane's e-mail progressed, officials became convinced that the audacity, deviousness and scope of Mendte's alleged intrusions did warrant a felony charge of computer intrusion.