The radio industry once again has the backing of two key organizations that will help to bring members of Congress on board a bill that will require AM radio in every passenger vehicle. The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) and its parent organization U.S. Black Chambers, call it “essential” to preserving a vital lifeline of information and connection for millions of Americans, particularly in African American communities.
The proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315) requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles. If they don’t, carmakers could be fined. Before the effective date of the rule, manufacturers who do not include AM would be required to put a warning label on vehicles. And carmakers would be prohibited from charging extra for AM.
Under the bill, automakers would have had at least two years to comply with the rule, although some manufacturers that produce fewer than 40,000 passenger cars for sale in the U.S. would have at least four years to meet the requirement. The proposal would also direct the Government Accountability Office to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.
NABOB says moves by several automobile manufacturers to eliminate AM radio from electric vehicles threaten to “marginalize” the “vital role” of AM radio. While many Black owners and programmers have historically been shut out of the FM dial, the AM dial has been a way for minority owners to get a foothold into broadcasting. As a result, NABOB says AM is a “critical platform” for Black-owned media, and its removal of this medium would exacerbate the already minimal Black ownership numbers. Of the 220 radio stations owned by African Americans, NABOB says nearly half—103 stations—are AM stations, making them especially vulnerable to this policy shift. It also says taking it out of car dashboards would further limit the ability of the American public to hear the voices of Black Americans.
“AM radio is more than a platform—it is a pillar of connection, culture, and community,” says Jim Winston, President of NABOB. “For African American communities, AM radio fills a critical void by providing locally produced content that addresses our unique needs and experiences. The removal of AM radio from vehicles not only threatens the sustainability of Black-owned radio stations but also hinders access to information during emergencies.”
There are currently 48 Senators from both sides of the political aisle who support the bill.
The Senate Commerce Committee last week voted in favor of the bill, sending it to the full Senate for a vote. A companion bill has also been introduced in the House, that like its Senate counterpart would require automakers to include AM in all passenger vehicles. NABOB and the U.S. Black Chambers say they are optimistic that support will grow and the legislation will be signed into law.
“We are committed to working with Congress to ensure this legislation is passed,” Winston says.
According to Nielsen, over 80 million people in the U.S. rely on AM radio each month. AM stations provide news, weather updates, entertainment, religious and cultural programming, and emergency broadcasts.