Members of the Philadelphia Digital Justice Campaign are concerned about the potential merger between Comcast and NBC-Universal. And you should be, too. Here's why:

If the FCC approves the deal, it is obvious that consumers will end up paying higher fees for both content and access to programming. The cable giant already raises fees every few months, as it is!

In addition, Comcast would have unprecedented control over what programming we are able to watch and how we can watch it. The company could easily squash online TV like Netflix, Miro and iTunes.

Finally, if the merger goes through, Comcast will have an incentive to promote NBC shows over local or independent programming. This will make it even tougher to find alternative voices on cable.

Another thing to consider is the role Comcast could be playing in blocking the city from obtaining millions of dollars in broadband stimulus funds. Why would Comcast care? Because the funds would help pay for Philadelphia to build a publicly owned broadband network that would, eventually, offer residents affordable and reliable Internet access. The Inquirer's Joseph DiStefano wrote about the issue earlier this month:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/technology/Why_didnt_PA_back_Phill...

The Philadelphia Digital Justice Campaign is starting to strategize around these issues. Hope you'll join us. Stay tuned for details.