As groups continue their fight for AM radio, reminding lawmakers about its importance in rural America.
There has been a lot of back and forth over the last couple of years. Automakers have looked to shed AM radio as a cost-saving measure, but for rural communities, that change could mean losing a key source of information.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says AM radio is still essential in areas where other communication options are limited.
“As a troubling trend among auto makers who are considering removing AM radio from their new cars, AM radio is not just a convenience, it’s a critical lifeline of information for rural America. Remote areas lack reliable broadband coverage, so farmers and their families rely on radio for current markets, breaking news, and perhaps most importantly, severe weather alerts to work in the open and miles from home. Response time is critical.”
Duvall says he supports the Am Radio in Every Vehicle Act, which would require carmakers to continue including AM radios in new cars and trucks.
