NV congresswoman supports keeping AM radio in new cars
Alex Gonzalez
Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., said AM radio is essential to keeping Nevadans informed, especially in emergency situations, which is why she is one of many supporting the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
The legislation, which is under consideration in Congress, would require all new cars to maintain AM radio technology despite many having made the switch to now using satellite or internet services in their cars.
Lee said while AM radio does have a sense of nostalgia associated with it, it is also about ensuring people do not lose access to essential information, such as through the National Public Warning System.
"It plays such a vital role in our emergency infrastructure," Lee emphasized. "This country is moving towards digitalizing everything but ultimately there are instances where cell coverage goes out, where things go out, and having AM radios in cars is incredibly important."
Opponents of the bill feel mandating AM radio in all new cars without addressing the radio royalty issue for sound recordings is counterintuitive. Current U.S. copyright law does not provide artists with royalties when recordings are broadcast on AM and FM radio as it does on digital streaming services, which is why calls are being made to also consider the American Music Fairness Act.
Lee noted AM radio is highly important to rural and agricultural communities, relying on the service for things such as weather updates and other necessary information and Lee added they are not the only ones.
"We all know that cybersecurity is a key issue that we are dealing with, especially in an urban center like Las Vegas," Lee pointed out. "Making sure you have sort of that stalwart in cars that can be uninterrupted is really important."
Lee stressed it is not just about having what she calls "outgoing" sources of information, but also "incoming" information provided by people about what is happening on the ground. She added it was true during the 2017 Route 91 Harvest music festival mass shooting, which left 60 people dead and many others wounded.
