Media play a vital role in our democracy.

We depend on unbiased news from reliable and independent sources to learn what’s happening in our communities, to participate in public affairs and to hold our government accountable. It’s media that keep the public informed.

But the consolidation of our media by corporate giants like Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., Time Warner and Viacom means fewer sources of news, opinion and information. Consolidation creates a more homogenous media that don’t reflect our country’s diversity. It means a junk diet of celebrity gossip instead of the substantive and critical journalism we need to keep an eye on those in power. And it means less exposure to the varied and competing voices that sustain our democracy.

That’s bad news for all of us. Whatever your LINK to NONPARTISAN FACT SHEET politics or issues of concern, Wall Street's pressure for profits over the public interest threatens to undermine our democracy.

Bad and Getting Worse

The problem of media consolidation is only getting worse. Despite overwhelming opposition from the American public and Congress, the Federal Communications Commission recently lifted ownership limits that have protected media diversity, competition and localism for more than 30 years.

The move will unleash a wave of consolidation across the country as corporate giants push smaller, independent owners -- including the few women and people of color who actually own stations -- out of the market.

Unless Congress or the courts intervene, the new rules could spell disaster for citizens and communities everywhere. Back in 2003, the last time the agency tried to weaken media ownership rules, millions of Americans mobilized to stop the media moguls. Now it’s time to act again.

For more information about the fight against Big Media and to find out how you can get involved, visit StopBigMedia.com.