WASHINGTON -- The Senate last night voted to nullify a Federal Communications Commission rule that allows media companies to own a newspaper and a television station in the same market.

The unusual "resolution of disapproval," sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and 26 other senators, was approved by a voice vote.

Republican FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has described the agency's action as a "relatively minor loosening" of broadcast media ownership restrictions. The rule was approved by the FCC in December.

Media General Inc., owner of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, supports repealing the cross-ownership rule in all markets.

The FCC decision allows one company to own a newspaper and a broadcast station in the nation's 20 largest metropolitan areas. The TV station may not be among the top four in the market, and post-transaction, at least eight independent media voices must remain. The rule replaced an outright ban on cross-ownership.

The FCC action also exempted 36 existing newspaper-broadcast ownership combinations that predate the ban or have gotten waivers, as well as six pending applications. Those include television stations and newspapers owned by Media General in four markets, including Bristol, Va.-Johnson City, Tenn. The company did not need a waiver for its newspaper and TV station in Tampa, Fla., because Media General owned them before rules were enacted in 1975 banning cross-ownership.