By Asya McDonald
The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communication and Technology held a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to discuss why Americans value AM radio.
HR 3413, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, is a bipartisan call to action for the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations as standard equipment in motor vehicles manufactured, imported, and shipped interstate in the United States.
The hearing shed light on the unique role that AM broadcast plays in the lives of millions of Americans, despite the rise of digital platforms and FM radio One of the main reasons this bill is critical is because AM broadcast is essential for getting alerts to many Americans, especially those in underserved areas through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System in times of crisis.
While this bill is still in its infancy, the hearing ignited a healthy dialogue between the car industry expressing their concerns about innovation in electric vehicles and supporters of the bill to not kill AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles.
The bill lists a range of concerns for consumers. The main concerns are the cost to drivers if the alternative system suggested replacing the free standard AM broadcast system, the new system’s reliability, and whether the system will be able to reach at least 90% of the population in the United States in time of crisis.
Several industry experts and representatives of broadcasting organizations were invited to provide insights on the enduring popularity and necessity of AM broadcasts.
Bob Houghton, president of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, expressed focusing on the bipartisan support the bill has received to highlight how AM broadcast is essential in many rural Americans’ routines.
“Both Republicans and Democrats repeatedly emphasized the benefits of AM radio in serving their local communities, focusing on the disastrous implications of removing AM radio from the car,” said Houghton in a statement following the hearing. “The Georgia Association of Broadcasters will travel to Washington next week with four board members to solidify their support for HR 3413 and S1669 with our representatives. They look forward to gaining more support and pushing the needle forward to keep AM broadcast in every vehicle.”
The Georgia Association of Broadcasters will travel to Washington next week with four board members to solidify their support for HR 3413 and S1669 with our representatives. They look forward to gaining more support and pushing the needle forward to keep AM broadcast in every vehicle.
Buddy Carter (GA-1) is the vice chairman of the committee and he voiced concerns for Georgians who live in the Savannah and the coastal area, which has been impacted heavily over the past few years by severe weather, like hurricanes.
“You know natural disasters like hurricanes are traumatic and oftentimes there are no other means of getting alerts other than the AM radio,” said Carter.
Homeland Security Branch Commander for New Jersey State Police Lt. Colonel Christopher DeMaise spoke during the hearing firmly advocating the need for an AM broadcast.
“We require redundancy to make sure that we can communicate with all of the community and the AM radio platform certainly has such a broad reach,” said DeMaise.
Congressman Tony Cárdenas from California’s 29th District, spoke about the importance of AM broadcasts for underserved ethnic communities in his district.
“For some people radio, specifically AM radios, is an outdated medium with a shrinking consumer base, however in Latino communities like the one I represent in the San Fernando Valley radio is one of the most powerful and far-reaching forms of media,” said Cardenas.
Congressman Tony Cárdenas from California’s 29th District, spoke about the importance of AM broadcasts for underserved ethnic communities in his district.
“For some people radio, specifically AM radios, is an outdated medium with a shrinking consumer base, however in Latino communities like the one I represent in the San Fernando Valley radio is one of the most powerful and far-reaching forms of media,” said Cardenas.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell from Michigan’s 6th District was another supporter to challenge the current message from the auto industry about alternative systems.
“We are not currently adequately prepared to reach all Americans in the event of a disaster without the assistance of AM radio services as a backdrop,” said Dingell.
Jerry Chapman, President of Woof Boom Radio, who was one of the main people answering questions in the hearing, conveyed the simplest message to auto manufacturers to push home the urgency of getting alerts to all Americans in the most effective way possible.
“We make sure that we can connect with people at all times who want to receive us and we know that we do the best when we are received over the years through channels that are easiest for people to receive it,” said Mr. Chapman.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, the consensus was that AM broadcast remains a vital component of the media ecosystem, deserving of continued support and recognition.
As the hearing concluded, Congressman John Reynolds, the subcommittee chair, stated, “Today’s discussion reaffirmed the importance of AM radio in our society. It is incumbent upon us to safeguard its future, ensuring that this timeless medium continues to serve Americans across the nation.”
