Your favorite AM radio station is in danger.
Vehicle manufacturers around the world have decided to remove the AM dial from the radios in their new vehicles, citing interference issues.
Terry Stevenson, the Vice President of Seehafer Broadcasting, and a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association’s Legislative Committee, has a hard time buying what these car makers are peddling.
“The struggle I have with that is that if you can build a self-driving vehicle, but you can’t put an AM radio in it, there’s something going on, ” he explained.
So, the WBA has been working with a lobbyist to bring the issue before the Wisconsin and federal governments, and to craft legislation that would require the AM dial remain in all vehicles.
A big reason why this is important is for the dissemination of information during an emergency.
“What would happen in the event that the internet goes down, or our cell phone towers go down and we have no way of getting information out to communities?” Stevenson asked. “AM radio is still going to be the most viable source to do that.”
We asked Stevenson if they have any legislative support.
“We are getting support from both Democrats and Republicans on this,” he said. “Obviously, not everyone, but it doesn’t seem to me, in my experience, that it’s one or the other.”
One supporter of the measure is Congressman Glenn Grothman.
In his most recent newsletter, the Glenbeulah native explained that he and a group of bi-partisan lawmakers recently sent a letter to the presidents of BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM, and Mercedes Benz about the issue, and asked them to reverse their stance.
Ford has done just that and will keep AM radio transmitters in new vehicles.
Grothman also said, “I strongly urge other car manufacturers to follow suit and reinstall AM radio in all vehicles they produce. It is a matter of public safety in rural communities.”
If you would like to voice your support for the measure, you are encouraged to call Senators Ron Johnson, and Tammy Baldwin, as well as Congressman Glenn Grothman, and your state legislators.
