SEATTLE - About 750 people came to Town Hall Friday evening to give the Federal Communications Commission a message: They want less media consolidation not more.

More than 200 people signed up to testify, with most of them opposed to proposed new rules including a relaxation of the media consolidation regulations. Others expressed their views with signs and costumes, such as those who said they were dressed as "media-consolidation zombies."

"You become a zombie when your voice isn't heard," said Monica Olsson, dressed as a zombie. "That's what we're here to stop."

This was the commission's sixth and final public hearing before voting on rules that govern how many broadcast stations and newspapers a single company may own.

Previous FCC hearings on media ownership issues were held in Los Angeles, Nashville, Harrisburg, Penn., Tampa Bay, Fla., and Chicago, Ill., as commissioners consider raising the number of broadcast stations and newspapers a single media company may own.

Critics say this would limit diversity and viewpoints and could shape news coverage.

"If a company owns four stations in one town, then you don't just see the news operations getting shrunk to one, you see them getting erased," said Jonathan Lawson, of Reclaim the Media. "There are 49 radio stations in Seattle market. Only five of them have local news rooms. And three of those are non-commercial. I think that's the kind of thing we're looking at if this consolidation happens."

Most media companies want to see the ownership restriction eased or eliminated, and many who spoke Friday said they were certain the FCC's Republic majority had already made up their minds to do the industry's bidding. Among the speakers were Gov. Chris Gregoire and Attorney General Rob McKenna.

"I find it ironic that in an age with so many new ways for people to communicate -- and so many ways to exercise the beauty of Democracy -- we face the very real threat that these new ways will be controlled by a few," Gregoire said.

But it is not just news. The Seattle band called Window Pane is a hit at local clubs, but they say they can't get on local radio stations.

"It's very difficult to get the exposure you need," said Mike Echternkamp, drummer.

"Pretty much all the radio stations are controlled by several companies," said Glenn Canon, lead singer.

But station owners couldn't disagree more.

"I have final say over the music, the on-air talent, the station imaging, the commercial production," said Becky Brenner, KMPS- FM program director.

The FCC adopted looser ownership rules in 2003, prompting widespread protests. A federal appeals court struck down the changes, ruling the commission had not adequately justified them.

Last year, the commission announced it would take up the issue again and the FCC chairman has said he wants a vote next month.

The general managers of Seattle's KING-TV and KCPQ-TV were among the handful of witnesses who did not call for preserving the current media-ownership rules. Their respective owners, Dallas-based Belo and Chicago-based Tribune, already own newspaper-TV combinations in other cities that predate the FCC ban.

Major media companies say the ownership restrictions no longer are needed because new technology -- the Internet, cable TV, satellite radio -- has produced new media voices.

Also among those testifying in support of the rules is Mark Allen, the head of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters.

"What we're looking at is the newspaper cross-ownership ban, which prohibits a television station from owning a newspaper in its own coverage area. That's really what wer'e looking at," he said. "Do you have an independent station that's not doing news maybe? That could partner as an ownership proposition with a a newspaper that would provide them with the resources to be able to add another newscast or news voice in the market?"

The hearing

Two panels were planned at the Friday night hearing, each followed by a period for public comment.

The theme of the first panel was "Perspectives on Media Ownership." A sampling of speakers included Mark Allen, President and CEO of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters; Frank Blethen, Publisher/CEO of The Seattle Times; John Carlson, Radio Talk show Host KVI-AM; and Ray Heacox, General Manager of King Broadcasting Seattle.

After a break, the second panel discussion included speakers Abby Dylan, National Board Member, Screen Actors Guild Seattle; Michelle Santosuosso, former vice president of artist and label relations, Napster, Inc.; and Bruce Fife, president, American Federation of Musicians, Local 99.

A live audio cast was available at the FCC's Web site.