Hundreds of radio broadcasters from 31 states are in Washington this week, summoned by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), to lobby Congress for legislation requiring AM radio in all new cars and trucks.
On Tuesday, the broadcasters will meet directly with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to argue that preserving AM access is essential for public safety. They contend that AM radio remains a critical lifeline for delivering emergency alerts during natural disasters, national emergencies, or when cellular networks fail.
The group will also highlight AM’s unique role in serving rural agricultural communities, communities of color, and other underrepresented audiences through local, in-language, religious, and culturally specific programming.
The NAB has lined up endorsements from a broad coalition, including the National Emergency Management Association, Native Public Media, SAG-AFTRA, and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters.
Automakers and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) strongly oppose the mandate. The CTA has warned that forcing AM radios into every vehicle would raise production costs, slow innovation in vehicle safety features, and limit advancements in entertainment and connectivity technologies.
The high-profile lobbying day underscores a growing standoff between the broadcasting industry, which sees AM as vital infrastructure, and the auto sector, which views the requirement as outdated government intervention in rapidly evolving vehicle technology.