By BARBARA SIMPSON
If you are like most of us, you get into your vehicle and turn on the radio, even if you have other means of entertainment on those wheels! The radio in our cars and trucks has been a means of entertainment and information for decades — to the point that we take it for granted. We might install other sources of entertainment and information while we travel, but the AM radio is current and constant. The idea that it might not be there is something people never considered — until lately.
Earlier this year, the news of vehicles without AM radio hit the headlines.
A number of automakers, including Ford, announced they would not automatically have AM radios in their new models. As news got out, there was a huge pushback with proposed legislation in Washington along with an outcry from station owners, listeners and first responders.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Markey said, “AM radio is more than just an essential safety feature, it’s a free, accessible source for anyone to listen to music, news, sports and entertainment.”
As the negative response grew, Ford and other automakers backed off and finally announced they would not eliminate the AM radios. Needless to say, the introduction in the Senate, this year in May, of the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” was a strong impetus to the decision.
Not much has happened publicly since then, but the issue has not died. Indeed, just last week, the Democrat-controlled Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee voted overwhelmingly to pass the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023.” It’s Senate bill #1669.
The law requires automakers to include AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge to the buyers.
The basic issue discussed is the importance of AM radio as part of the emergency alert system in this country.
The law was championed by Senate Republicans on the committee, led by Sen. Ted Cruz. He said, “AM radio serves a critical function during emergencies.” He said that was “why several former FEMA administrators and representatives of the emergency response community have called for AM radio to remain in vehicles.”
The bill also had strong Democrat support, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) leading that effort. Only Michigan Democrat Gary Peters voted against it.
Klobuchar said that Minnesotans look to AM Radio for everything from news and weather updates to music and sports scores. She added that it is “critical to protect AM radio for our communities, but right now, it’s on the chopping block.”
The strong bipartisan support helped promote the bill but it also was more than helped by the change of mind of the auto companies. They were so inundated with complaints from the public, that they decided it would be smart of them to change that policy. Their bottom line, of course, is sales — and a bunch of unhappy customers is NOT what they desire.
With the introduction of the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” the movement is closer to being law for the country, affecting all vehicle sales and with no extra charges for the consumers.
An interesting side to this controversy is that it shows the power of the consumer in decisions by manufacturers. In fact, the change in the decision by automakers came about not because of a push from Washington but because of the thousands of calls, letters, and comments by prospective buyers. Of course, the national media publicity didn’t hurt nor did the fact that Washington got into the act with proposed legislation!
At that point, it was clear that the decision to remove AM radios from vehicles was a terrible idea and it was dropped. Nevertheless, the legislation is still pending in Washington and when it is passed — and I suspect it will be — the law will be there to protect our radios, so this doesn’t happen again.
As for me, I am a fan of AM radio — having grown up listening to it, being a regular listener to it now and indeed, having worked on the air for several radio stations.
I can live without television and all the other newfangled means of communication — but for me, old-fashioned AM radio is the best, and it’s my daily companion!
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