Media Control?

The role of the media in democracy... a hard question to answer, and a very relevant one considering the magnitude of the upcoming presidential election. The concept of the media being controlled by a few select corporations is a very hard one for me to wrap my brain around. I find it quite frightening indeed that these greedy companies would control what I see on television, hear on the radio, and read in newspapers. Again, this concept is almost so hard for me to come to terms with that my brain really won't let me believe it. However, for the sake of answering this question in a timely and orderly fashion, I will force my brain to agree with the book.
Citizens depend on the media to stay active and involved in their democracy. We need to know most of the decisions that our representatives are making; at the very least, the ones that effect us directly. Also, with the quickly approaching election, we depend on the media to give us information about the candidates so that we can choose the one that most accurately meets our criteria for a good leader. Corporate influence could easily become a threat to democracy. If these few corporations are controlling what information the people are receiving about their representatives and candidates, we are not able to make decisions based on the entire truth. I think there is enough competition to ensure at least some range of views and opinions, but not necessarily a wide one. I think the media should be largely unregulated. Of course, there is a need for the F.D.A. and some censorship. Overall, I think our country is doing a pretty good job of regulating the media when it needs to be regulated, and letting it run free the rest of the time.