Am Radio Is Essential. Now It's Under Threat
17 hours ago
- #AM Radio
- #Emergency Communication
- #Media History
- Mark Starling, a radio host in Asheville, North Carolina, stayed on air during Hurricane Helene, providing critical updates and support to listeners when other communication methods failed.
- AM radio proved essential during the disaster, connecting isolated communities and facilitating emergency responses, highlighting its ongoing relevance.
- Electric vehicle manufacturers are removing AM radio from new models, citing electromagnetic interference, which could cost billions to fix and threatens the medium's survival.
- AM radio remains vital for rural communities, farmers, and minority groups, offering local news, emergency alerts, and cultural programming where other media fail.
- Legislation like the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act aims to preserve AM radio in cars, but automakers resist, arguing it stifles innovation and increases costs.
- Historically, AM radio has unified communities, from broadcasting election results in 1920 to supporting civil rights movements and providing real-time disaster updates.
- Despite technological advancements, AM radio's reliability and accessibility make it indispensable during emergencies and for underserved populations.
- The future of AM radio hangs in the balance as generational shifts and corporate interests challenge its continued existence, despite its proven societal value.