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Politics & Policy

Bott Radio Network Backs Bill to Save AM Radio

NRB is encouraging its members and the public to voice their support for efforts to preserve access to AM radio, where religious programs often can be heard.

“AM radio is not just a relic of the past,” wrote Troy Miler, the organization’s president and CEO. “It represents a pillar of America’s longstanding commitment to the free flow of information, ensuring that all voices can be heard without corporate interference. The ‘death of radio’ narrative collapses under one statistic. AM/FM still reaches far more Americans each week than any individual streaming‑audio or social‑media service.”

Rich Bott

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 ensures that AM radio remains in the dashboard of every car manufactured and sold in the United Staes, preserving access to critical emergency alerts, public service programming and faith-based broadcasts that reach millions of Americans every month. The bill has 215 cosponsors in the House and 60 in the Senate. The bill already has advanced out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

The importance of the AM band

“AM radio provides unlimited free access to vital information, inspiration and cultural enrichment to our listeners every day,” said Rich Bott, chairman and CEO of Bott Radio Network, which has 11 AM stations. “In particular, our listeners depend on AM radio for spiritual refreshment and encouragement to face life’s challenges with hope and assurance with faith in God.”

The decline of the radio band in cars could pose a safety risk in parts of the United States where complicated geographical terrain limits access to broadband, cell service and even FM radio. Bott pointed out that FM signals are limited to line-of-sight propagation, meaning its radio waves can transmit and receive signals only when two stations face one another with no obstacles between them. On the other hand, AM signals are transmitted as ground waves that propagate over several hundred miles along the earth’s horizon.

“Every citizen, every community and every conviction has a place on the airwaves of a truly free nation,” Miller said. “Faith-based media isn’t asking for special treatment — just fair access. This is not a partisan issue. It’s a matter of national interest and free speech. The fight…is the fight to let the free voice of every American lead the conversation.”

–Dwight Widaman

 

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