Car makers have begun rumbling that they want to stop putting AM radios in new cars because the electronics — especially in electric vehicles — might interfere with radio reception. But a long list of people and groups have risen up to oppose the idea.
“Major U.S. automaker Ford is eliminating AM radio from nearly all of its new vehicles – gas and electric – citing data showing less than 5% of in-car listening is from those stations,” Just the News reported.
Firstly, it would be a disaster for conservative talk radio if AM radios were dumped from cars going forward. Car AM radios is where so many listeners is where so many get their conservative information.
Naturally, the National Association of Broadcasters blasted the idea saying that it would leave 82 million Americans per month without their radio fix for talk, news, and sports.
But, that aside, there are also many others who oppose the removal of AM radios and for a variety of legitimate reasons.
For instance, some in Congress have pointed out that AM radio is where the nation locates some of its emergency management alerts.
Reps. Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican, and Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, wrote a letter last week to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell expressing concerns about the switch resulting in motorists losing a major warning platform.
“AM radio is the backbone of the nation’s Emergency Alert System,” the congressmen wrote, referring to the national warning system that authorities use to distribute public safety alerts such as severe weather information and AMBER alerts.
The lawmakers told FEMA it is “vital” that the federal agency “make clear the negative impacts that lacking access to AM radio will have on public safety infrastructure.”
FEMA’s “Emergency Alert System Best Practices Guide” states: “AM stations offer specific coverage benefits due to the characteristics of ground wave propagation.”
Just the News also noted that several other organizations also oppose the move. by the automakers.
If you are a fan of AM radio, please do contact your congressman and tell them you want action to keep AM radio in new cars.
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