This is an issue which is of tremendous importance, and yet continues to have to be fought over and over. The forces of monopolization are relentless, and we the citizenry must be ready to respond whenever the oligarchs of information and communication make these kinds of power plays. It’s that “price of liberty is eternal vigilance” thing again.

In 1983, 50 corporations controlled a majority of American media. Now that number is six. And Big Media may get even bigger, thanks to the FCC’s consideration of ending a rule preventing companies from owning a newspaper and radio and TV stations in the same city. Such a move, which they’ve tried in 2003 and 2007 as well, would give these massive media companies free rein to devour more of the competition, control the public message, and also limit diversity across the media landscape.

The FCC is considering a behind-closed-doors vote on whether or not to relax a longstanding ban that prohibits a company from owning too many media properties in the country’s 20 largest markets.

Tell the Federal Communications Commission you’re concerned about relaxing the rules that limit the number of newspapers and major television and radio stations a corporation may own in the same city.

Learn more about this issue at Bill Moyers Journal.