Attorney General Cameron Fights to Keep AM Radio in Kentucky Cars

Eliminating AM radio could harm Kentuckians who need it to stay safe and informed

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 30, 2023) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron opposed a push to eliminate AM radios in electric vehicles.

“Eliminating AM radio could harm Kentuckians who need it to stay safe and informed about what’s happening in the Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Cameron. “I joined this coalition to urge electric vehicle manufacturers to keep open this important avenue of communication.”

In a letter to the Electric Drive Transportation Association and the Zero Emission Transportation Association, Attorney General Cameron expressed concern that phasing out AM radio could make Kentuckians less safe. AM radio is often used for disaster and weather warnings. The letter also notes that phasing out AM channels could have the unintended consequence of discriminating against certain political commentary.

Kentucky has recently experienced natural disasters and other public safety emergencies. “During those emergencies,” the letter states, “it is vitally important that federal, state, and local officials be able to deliver emergency warnings and other information to their citizens.” AM radio covers over “90 percent of the U.S. population and ensures that state and federal agencies can quickly, dependably, and cheaply distribute life-saving information across vast geographical areas.”

In addition to being a source of free and readily available emergency information, AM radio also provides citizens with access to diverse voices that are important to our national dialogue. Eliminating such access could leave Kentuckians without a clear and fair understanding of pressing issues.

“Eliminating AM radio from vehicles,” the letter concludes, “ignores the vital role AM radio plays in the lives of millions of Americans.”

Attorney General Cameron was joined by attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia in sending the letter.

To read a copy of the letter, click here