WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 —President Bush today appointed Michael K. Powell, the oldest child of Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, to be the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.

Mr. Powell, 37, has served since autumn 1997 as one of the two Republican commissioners at the five-member agency, and since that term runs until July 2003, his selection as chairman does not require Senate confirmation.

He is expected to push the commission in a significantly different direction from that of recent years.

...(Powell) has agreed with major broadcasters in challenging efforts to create more than 1,000 new low-power FM radio stations for schools, churches and community groups.