On September 18, 2024, the AM for Every Vehicle Act was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in a 45 – 2 vote. The bill now moves to the House floor.
“NAB is grateful for the leadership of Chairs Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Gus Bilirakis, Ranking Members Frank Pallone and Jan Schakowsky and the committee members for their recognition of AM radio’s unique and vital role in protecting public safety,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt in a statement.
The bill, H.R. 8449, is a bipartisan effort to protect the access of lifesaving AM radio by mandating that all new commercial vehicles include AM radio in the production of new vehicles, made and/or sold in the United States, free of cost. AM radio has proven itself time and time again as a lifesaving medium, and the most reliable way to receive life saving EAS reports in an emergency.
The legislation will need to achieve a majority of 262 co-sponsors in the House and a supermajority of 63 in the Senate to pass.
On September 17, 2024, Univision 34 Atlanta announced the promotion of Jensser Morales to Anchor Producer at the station.
“We are excited to see Jensser take on this new challenge,” said Dacelys Martinez, Regional News Director in a post to LinkedIn by the station. “His skill in impactful storytelling and his deep understanding of the local community make him the perfect fit for this role. We are confident that his leadership will elevate our news team.”
In his new role, Morales will be overseeing “news production, coordinating broadcast segments, and ensuring that the content remains relevant and of the highest quality.” He will also be the 6 pm anchor Monday through Friday.
Morales joined the station in 2019 as a digital producer and most recently served as an audiovisual journalist. Before coming to Atlanta, Morales worked in Arkansas and Venezuela.
NAB President, Curtis LeGeyt, gives much deserved recognition to Spanish language broadcasters during Hispanic Heritage Month.
In a blog shared to the NAB website, LeGeyt reflects on the critical role that Spanish language broadcasters play, especially during election seasons.
“By serving as a trusted source, Spanish language broadcasters help ensure these communities remain informed and engaged, and this timely and accurate information is a cornerstone in safeguarding the democratic process,” says LeGeyt.
The NAB continues to support Spanish speaking broadcasters, and their communities, through its support of the Hispanic GOTV Coalition, to collaborate in mobilizing Hispanic voters.
The FCC has received more than 2,000 comments on its recent proposal to require stations to disclose when AI has been used in the creation of political advertisements.
Criticisms to the proposal have included the rule’s proximity to an upcoming Presidential election, vague language including the use of AI in improving sound or video quality, and causing the increased spread of misinformation.
The FCC released a Fact Sheet to address some early concerns of the proposal.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the National Black Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at the Westin Atlanta Airport hotel.
The 2024 class of inductees are:
The Talented Sisters of Radio Award
- Jewel Carter
- Porsha Fox
- Michele Williams
The Talented Brothers of Radio Award
- Tony Brown
- Jo Jo Davis
- James T
The Gospel Radio Personality Radio Award
- Donnie McClurkin
- Karl Eli Smith
- Steve Murry
The African American Station Owner Award
- Steve Hegwood
- Art Gilliam
The African American Radio Station Promotions Award
- India Graves
- A.J. Savage
The African American Record Pool Distributors Award
- Tony Neal’s Core DJ
- Franchise Record Pool
The Talk Radio Personality Award
- Roland Martin
The Personality that has reached out to the Community Award
- Pennye Rogers
The Hip Hop Radio Personality Award
- Funkmaster Flex
The Talented Sisters of Blues Radio Award
- Cookie Antionette Wright
The Talented Brothers of Blues Radio Award
- Glenn Bernard Hayes
The Radio Music Career Artists of the Year Inductee
- Charlie Wilson
The Lifetime Media Achievement Award Inductee
- Lee Michaels
The Broadcasters Chairman’s Leadership Award Inductee
- Jim Winston
The Radio Pioneer Award
- Walt Baby Love
- Calvin Dupree, Jr. aka “Casual Cal”
- Don “DC” Cody
- Don Carter
- Cedric Hollywood
- Dr. William Gay
- Michael Saunders
The Posthumous Award Inductees
- Elizabeth Libby Anthony
- Wayne Brown
- Kris Kelley
- Richard Pegue
- Connie Cato Dickerson
- Bob Slade
On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Radio Hall of Fame welcomed eight new members to its rank.
The 2024 inductees are:
- Crook & Chase
- Lee Harris
- Phil Hendrie
- Jaime Jarrín
- Kraig Kitchin
- Barry Mayo
- Mary McCoy
- Matt Siegel
The 2024 Hall of Fame inductees were honored in a ceremony at the Omni Nashville.
Atlanta radio stations are once again joining forces for “Black Radio United for the Vote.” Black Radio United for the Vote is a partnership of KISS 104.1, V103, 1380 News & Talk WAOK, Majic 107.5/97.5, Hot 107.9, Praise 102.5, Classix 102.9, Streetz 94.5, Jazz 91.9 WCLK, Smooth Jazz 101.1, and 104.5 FM.
The goal of these stations is to mobilize voters: first to register to vote, then to actually get to the voting booths. Black Radio United for the Vote’s efforts include hosting voter registration events and making Voter Resources easily accessible on its webpage.
Black Radio United for the Vote first began in 2020 by CMG former Program Director, Terri Avery (who has since retired). Avery organized and led the group in 2020 and 2022. Now, current CMG Program Director, Dyron Ducati is assisting in leading the efforts.
Ducati stated, “I’m so grateful that former KISS programmer, Terri Avery, had the vision to bring the leaders of urban radio in Atlanta together to educate and inspire the community. Black Radio United for the Vote will continue to impact our future through this vetting and voting initiative. It’s a great day to be a broadcaster in Georgia.”
In 2023, Black Radio United for the Vote stations were collectively selected as the Georgia Association of Broadcasters 2023 Broadcaster of the Year.
