NAB President Curtis LeGeyt urged Congress to modernize outdated federal regulations that hinder local radio and TV stations from fairly competing with global tech platforms.
Speaking Tuesday at the National Association of Broadcasters’ State Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, LeGeyt told 570 attendees that current ownership and regulatory rules prevent broadcasters from leveling the playing field. He stressed the industry’s vital contributions to public safety, civic engagement, and local democracy, calling for urgent reform of these legacy policies.
Key lawmakers addressed the gathering:
- Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) praised broadcast radio’s enduring value and highlighted his leadership on the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which seeks to ensure AM radio remains standard in new vehicles.
- Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) warned against the threat of a performance tax on local radio stations and underscored broadcasters’ importance to their communities.
- Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, called for updating broadcast ownership rules to match today’s media environment and supported keeping AM radio in cars.