CBS NEWS
Congress is trying to force carmakers to keep AM radio − it should also use this opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/am-radio-congress-automakers /
Excerpted:
"..As a media historian, I welcome hearing AM radio described as a public utility, particularly after decades of free-market orthodoxy dominating discussions of its fate... The FCC once asked stations to serve the public interest in exchange for their licenses, a regulatory quid pro quo that generated a broader range of programming that better served communities.
It's possible to take that road again... AM radio could be used similarly.
If Congress and the FCC are going to frame AM radio as an essential public service, I believe it should once again push for public interest standards in exchange for a license. Only then will AM radio live up to the spirit animating the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
In other words, if the U.S. government is going to tell automakers to install AM radios as a matter of public interest, shouldn't they also ask broadcasters to demonstrate they are worthy of the public's trust?"
Agree 100%. Isn't that what LPFM was supposed to be? Non commercial radio stations serving a community. Carry that original concept over to AM (saying out loud that you're not going to be making oodles of money doing this) and you might rekindle interest in that band. You'd certainly get a different type of broadcaster.
I went to the link but for the CBS report but all I got was never ending commercials and got pissed off so didn't see the video.
But Congress as I have heard has been debating this for a couple of years now and nothing has come from it. It's election time now in the USA and you local congress member will listen to you now! Why not call or email your congress person and bring this up about AM for all cars? You have to speak up and let them know it's an issue.
As for Ford and Tesla not having AM and citing not able to because of the interference from the motors....garbage! That's what they tell you. They just don't want to do it as it's not hi-tech and doesn't go with their image.
I went to a Kia dealer and while I was there I was talking to a salesman about electric cars and asked does this have AM radio and was told of course and showed it to me working fine.
I said how is it with the motor on and the car running? So he took me out to the lot and demonstrated that it worked fine with the car driving!!. I said why, if Kia can do it, why can't Tesla?, and that's when he told me the reason they don't isn't what they tell you. Another reason besides the reason mentioned is they want to be able to charge you data fees for apps and receiving streams. Not listening to free terrestrial radio.
Now the question...should congress in a free market system be able to legislate what a company must provide with their product? Well here's my opinion. Government laws interfere with business all the time, legislating what they have to do, so a government can make AM in all cars mandatory. Do I think they should?
Yes.