While virtual assistants are already listed as core platform services under the DMA, none have been designated so far, creating a regulatory gap. With the rapid integration of AI, these virtual assistants are increasingly becoming key entry points to media content across smartphones, smart speakers and in-car infotainment systems.

For radio, this development is particularly critical. As audiences access radio and audio through voice commands, virtual assistants can effectively control which content is found, prioritised or excluded altogether. Without DMA obligations, this risks limiting fair access, reducing discoverability and undermining media pluralism.

Broadcasters therefore urge the Commission to act swiftly: designate major virtual assistant providers as gatekeepers, launch a market investigation if thresholds are not met, and clarify the definition of business users to reflect real market dependencies.

With AI-driven interfaces reshaping how audiences access content, ensuring fair and open access through virtual assistants is becoming an urgent priority for the future of radio in Europe.

Signatories (in alphabetical order)

1. Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT)
2. Association of European Radios (AER)
3. Asociace komerčních televizí (AKTV)
4. Slovak Television Broadcasters’ Association (ATVS)
5. Asociația Română de Comunicații Audiovizuale (ARCA)
6. Confindustria Radio Televisioni (CRTV)
7. European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
8. European association of television and radio sales houses (egta)
9. Televisión Comercial en Abierto (UTECA)
10. Verband Privater Medien (VAUNET)
11. Verband Österreichischer Privatsender (VOP)

Read the joint letter here. 

For more information, please contact the AER office in Brussels at aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

The Association of European Radios (AER) warmly celebrates UNESCO’s World Radio Day 2026, observed every year on 13 February to honour the enduring importance of radio and its contribution to society worldwide. This year’s theme “Radio and AI: Innovation that empowers. Ethics that inspire. Trust that endures.” underscores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence as a tool to support radio’s evolution, while reaffirming that trust, credibility and the human voice remain at the heart of the medium. World Radio Day is an opportunity to recognise how radio continues to inform citizens, strengthen communities and support democratic life. Every day, radio delivers trusted news, cultural programming and companionship to millions. In times of crisis and emergency, it remains a vital lifeline, resilient, accessible and free at the point of use. As technology evolves, radio evolves with it, embracing innovation responsibly while safeguarding its core values: trust, accessibility and public service.

On the occasion of World Radio Day 2026, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola shared a powerful message emphasising the importance of maintaining radio’s accessibility and presence in all listening environments – particularly in connected cars and on digital platforms – and safeguarding universal access to reliable information in an era of rapid technological change.

EP President Metsola – World Radio Day – AER

“I start my day with the radio. Most mornings it is the first voice I hear before the emails, before the headlines, before everything speeds up. And I know I’m not the only one.

Radio is part of everyday life for millions of people across Europe, at home, in the car and at work. It is familiar, accessible and present at the moments that shape our day.

At a time when it is harder and harder to know which sources we can trust, people know that they can always turn to radio for clear and reliable information. In fact, a recent study shows radio is Europe’s most trusted medium.

So, on World Radio Day, that trust is worth recognising and celebrating.

As digital technologies and AI evolve, they bring new opportunities for radio — from how content is created to how it reaches people. Innovation has always been part of radio, but people still come back for the human voice, the relationship with presenters and that sense of connection and belonging.

For that to continue, radio needs to remain easy to find and easy to listen to on smart devices, in connected cars and across the platforms that people use every day.

That is why the Digital Networks Act is so important for the future of radio in Europe.

Radio is something we should all care about and look after – not out of nostalgia, but because it plays a real role in people’s lives.

If we want the next generation to grow up with the same sense of trust and connection, we need to make sure radio continues to have its place.

Because, as we know, video did not kill the radio star. Thank you.”

AER warmly thanks President Metsola for her clear support and recognition of radio’s democratic value. Her message reflects the shared commitment to ensuring that radio remains universally accessible, easy to find and free to use – today and for future generations.

As technology and AI continue to transform the media landscape, AER reaffirms its commitment to protecting radio’s unique role in strengthening democratic life, media pluralism and crisis preparedness across Europe.

Press release (.pdf)

Contact: francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org

For Europe’s radio sector, the DNA is a critically important file. As cars become increasingly connected and software-driven, radio’s presence on the dashboard can no longer be taken for granted. Ensuring that radio remains universally accessible, easy to find and free at the point of use in vehicles is essential for citizens, for democratic life and for crisis preparedness.

AER welcomes the preservation of the interoperability standard for in-car radios in the proposal.

Strengthening the existing interoperability framework for radio in cars is however essential. The Digital Networks Act offers a timely opportunity to secure radio’s future presence in cars. In particular, the final legislation should ensure that universal access to radio is safeguarded by mandating the inclusion of hybrid-capable radio receivers in all vehicle categories sold in the EU. Ensuring that all drivers, regardless of the type of vehicle they use, have access to radio services via these technologies is crucial for emergency communication and road safety, as well as for guaranteeing free access to information, safeguarding media pluralism and social cohesion.

“The Digital Networks Act confirms what matters in a crisis: reliable communication,” said AER President Stefan Möller. “Keeping radio in connected cars is a simple, low-cost step that protects trusted information, preparedness and media pluralism across Europe.”

In the run-up to the publication of the DNA, a broad, cross-party group of Members of the European Parliament called on the Commission to safeguard the future of radio in cars, underlining strong political support for radio as a trusted public-interest medium and essential safety channel.

AER also welcomes the fact that the DNA preserves key principles such as media pluralism and the national management of spectrum frequencies. At the same time, AER will closely examine the proposed “voluntary conciliation” mechanism, which risks becoming an indirect way of introducing network fees and could distort competition and reduce choice for listeners.

AER looks forward to working closely with the EU institutions and legislators in the coming months to strengthen the text and ensure the final legislation fully secures radio’s future in connected cars and digital environments.

Press release (.pdf)

Read more:

Safeguarding the future of radio in connected cars: AER position on the European Electronic Communication Code revision and proposal for Digital Networks Act (.pdf)

AER’s Response to the Call for evidence to the Digital Networks Act (.pdf)

MEPs call for strong safeguards for radio in connected cars under the Digital Networks Act (.pdf)

Contact: francesca.fabbri(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org

The letter urges the Commission to ensure that all new cars include radio receivers, that radio services remain easy to find on in-car interfaces, and that a level playing field is preserved between radio and global audio platforms.

The initiative was launched by MEP Sunčana Glavak following the AER roundtable “Tune in to Trust: Radio’s Future in the Digital World” she hosted on November 4 2025 at the European Parliament. As vehicles become increasingly software-driven platforms, the signatories warn that radio’s presence on the dashboard can no longer be taken for granted and that, without clear rules, platforms and car manufacturers risk becoming gatekeepers to audio content.

The Commission is expected to publish its proposal for the DNA on 20 January 2026.

Read the letter here.

Read “Safeguarding the future of radio in connected cars: AER position on the European Electronic Communication Code revision and proposal for Digital Networks Act” here.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.

For more information, please contact aer(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)aereurope.org.