“My name is Stefan Möller. I am CEO of RadioMedia Finland, President of the Association of European Radios and a member of egta. I am also someone who has spent most of my professional life – and much of my personal life – working with radio and audio.

Because at the end of the day, radio is not just a technology or a distribution channel.

It is a relationship.

It is companionship, trust, local connection, culture, creativity and, in many cases, a lifeline when people need reliable information most.

That is why today’s discussion matters—not just for broadcasters, but for anyone who believes in fair access to trusted media.

At first glance, virtual assistants may seem like a niche technology issue. But from the perspective of media and radio broadcasters, they are something much bigger. They are rapidly becoming the gateways through which people access content, information and services.

And if we want the Digital Markets Act to remain effective in the media environment of tomorrow, we need to recognize that reality.

Increasingly, listeners no longer access radio directly. They reach it through smart speakers, mobile ecosystems, connected devices, virtual assistants and, increasingly, through the operating systems built into their cars.

In those moments, the platform is no longer simply carrying a request. It interprets it.
It decides what the user meant. It determines what gets surfaced first, what gets recommended, how content is routed and what data is retained.

In other words, these platforms are increasingly shaping access to audiences, discoverability, data and, ultimately, monetization.

That is why, from our perspective, virtual assistants are no longer just interfaces.
They are becoming gatekeepers.

We are not here asking for special treatment for radio. We are simply asking the DMA to recognize what is already happening in practice.

When a small number of platforms control how citizens discover content, how voice requests are interpreted, how services are ranked and how data flows back to content providers, they are performing exactly the kind of gatekeeper’s role the DMA was designed to address.

And I underline that this is important and it is no longer just our opinion.

A recent study commissioned by the German media authorities confirms what broadcasters across Europe are already experiencing.

It concludes that platform power in the voice ecosystem is becoming structurally embedded. A handful of large platforms increasingly control the entire value chain
-from hardware and operating systems
-to virtual assistants and AI-driven content routing
-while broadcasters risk losing control over discoverability, audience data and, ultimately, their commercial relationship with listeners.

The study also makes another important point. The issue is becoming more urgent, not less!

As virtual assistants evolve into AI-powered ecosystems embedded across connected devices, homes and vehicles, their role as gateways to media will only grow stronger.

That is precisely why we believe the time has come to recognize virtual assistants as Core Platform Services under the Digital Markets Act.

Let me finish with one simple observation.

Radio has survived and adapted through every technological transformation of the last hundred years.

We are not afraid of innovation in fact, our industry has embraced it.

But innovation works best when it remains open, fair and accessible.

As someone who has spent a lifetime working with radio, I don’t fear new technology.

I fear a future where people think they have a choice, when that choice has already been made for them by an algorithm.

As virtual assistants become the front door to media for millions of Europeans, we need to ensure that no single platform can quietly determine what people hear, what they do not hear, or under what conditions media organizations can reach their audiences.

This is not about protecting radio from the future.

It is about ensuring that the future remains open to competition, media pluralism and consumer choice.

For those of us who believe in trusted media, local voices and a diverse European audio landscape, that is a goal worth pursuing.

Thank you.”

Photos of the event can be seen here.

This timely event follows the joint European broadcasting associations’ statement AER has co-signed, calling the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera for urgent action under the DMA to address the growing gatekeeping role of virtual assistants and connected TV OS – you can read the statement here. 

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

Brussels, 30 June 2026 – The General Assembly of the Association of European Radios (AER) today unanimously re-elected its Presidency for a new term, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to representing the interests of commercial radio broadcasters across Europe as the sector navigates a rapidly evolving technological and regulatory landscape.

Stefan Möller, CEO of RadioMedia Finland, was re-elected as President of AER. Corinna Drumm (VÖP, Austria) and Daniela Beaujean (VAUNET, Germany) were re-elected as Vice Presidents, while Luka Duric (HRF, Croatia) continues as Vice President and Treasurer.

The General Assembly also elected the Executive Committee for the new mandate, bringing together representatives from commercial radio organisations across Europe.

The Executive Committee comprises :

Julián Velasco Mielgo (AERC, Spain), Kevin Moignoux (SIRTI, France), John Purcell (IBI, Ireland), Alexandra Daskalopoulous (EIIRA, Greece), Elena Cappuccio (CRTV, Italy), Philip Pilcher (Bauer Media Group), Niels Marslev (Danske Medier, Denmark), Rein Lang (ERL, Estonia), Mattias Gustavsson (Mad Man Media, Sweden), Matt Payton (Radiocentre, United Kingdom), Nicola Bomio (VSP, Switzerland) and Philippe Zahno (RRR, Switzerland).

During the General Assembly, members reviewed AER’s activities over the past year and adopted the Association’s Programme of Activities for 2026. The programme sets out AER’s priorities for the coming year, including safeguarding radio’s accessibility, discoverability and prominence across connected environments, engaging with European policymakers on key legislative initiatives, and strengthening cooperation across the commercial radio sector.

Following the election, AER President Stefan Möller thanked the members for their continued trust and highlighted the importance of a united European commercial radio industry.

“Everything AER has achieved has been the result of a collective effort. Our members, Task Forces, Secretariat and Presidency have worked together to ensure that the voice of commercial radio is heard where it matters most – in Brussels.

AER has entered a new phase. Alongside our national associations, we have welcomed corporate members, and I hope to see many more European radio companies becoming part of our work. I also encourage broadcasters in countries that do not yet have a national commercial radio association to come together and establish one. Strong national cooperation is the foundation of strong European representation.

Our biggest challenges no longer come from within the radio industry. They come from global technology platforms, digital gatekeepers, artificial intelligence and an increasingly complex European regulatory environment. These challenges affect every commercial broadcaster, regardless of size or market.

The work AER does benefits the entire commercial radio sector. When we help protect radio’s prominence, improve the regulatory framework or ensure policymakers understand radio’s value, the whole industry benefits.

Competition belongs in the marketplace. Cooperation is what gives our industry a strong voice in Brussels. The broader and stronger AER becomes, the more effectively we can represent commercial radio and help secure its future across Europe.”

Looking ahead, AER will continue to advocate for policies that ensure radio remains easily accessible, discoverable and prominent across connected vehicles, voice-controlled interfaces and digital platforms. The Association will also continue to work closely with European institutions, national associations, corporate members and industry partners to strengthen the position of commercial radio in an evolving media landscape.

Press release here. 

About AER

The Association of European Radios (AER) is the leading European organisation representing commercial radio broadcasters. Through its national association members and corporate members, AER promotes the interests of commercial radio before the European institutions and other key stakeholders.

AER works to ensure that commercial radio remains a vibrant, innovative and trusted medium by advocating for fair regulation, technological accessibility and a competitive media environment. Together, AER’s members represent thousands of commercial radio stations and services that reach, inform, entertain and connect millions of Europeans every day.

The joint letter, addressed to Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, welcomes the Commission’s efforts to provide greater legal clarity on the new AI transparency rules. At the same time, it raises serious concerns that parts of the current draft Guidelines risk producing outcomes that are disproportionate, technically unworkable and ultimately counterproductive for professional media.

The concern is not with the principle of transparency itself. Media organisations fully support the need for clear information where AI-generated or manipulated content creates a genuine risk of misleading audiences. The problem lies in the way the draft Guidelines currently interpret the relevant provisions of the AI Act. As drafted, they risk extending labelling obligations far beyond deceptive or high-risk content and into a wide range of professional editorial material that is clearly fictitious, harmless or only minimally adjusted. According to the signatories, this would lead to systemic over-labelling, legal uncertainty and significant operational burdens for media providers.

Together with the co-signatories, AER is calling for three targeted adjustments to the draft Guidelines:

• A narrower and clearer definition of “deepfake”

The current draft risks capturing content that is merely “realistic”, even where there is no genuine risk of deception. The joint letter calls on the Commission to limit the notion of deepfake to content that presents a real risk of misleading audiences, and to explicitly exclude fictitious, non-deceptive content as well as minor technical or editorial adjustments.

• Clarification of the timing of disclosure obligations

The signatories argue that Article 50(5) of the AI Act sets the latest point at which disclosure must be made, but does not create an obligation for continuous or persistent labelling throughout a piece of content. The current wording of the draft Guidelines risks implying precisely that, which would be disproportionate and, in many cases, impractical.

• Proportionate and workable labelling standards

The letter also calls for labelling requirements that reflect technical realities and human perceptual limits. Excessive or repeated labelling across large volumes of low-risk content would not strengthen trust in transparency; on the contrary, it could lead to “banner blindness” and weaken the impact of warnings in the cases where they are genuinely needed.

For radio and audio services, the issue is especially sensitive. Unlike visual media, audio formats do not lend themselves easily to repeated or persistent disclosures without affecting the listening experience itself. Requiring frequent or continuous transparency notices in low-risk cases would risk interrupting programming, confusing listeners and ultimately reducing the effectiveness of the disclosure.

Transparency measures should help audiences identify genuine risks of deception – not create warning fatigue or desensitise listeners through repeated notices attached to content that is not misleading in the first place. The joint letter calls on the Commission to adjust the draft Guidelines so that they remain faithful to the AI Act’s purpose: building trust through meaningful transparency, rather than undermining it through excessive and indiscriminate labelling.

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.

Radio is a communication service but also a cultural medium that constitutes a core pillar of media pluralism, social cohesion, linguistic diversity, and provides trusted information, including in times of crisis and emergencies. We welcome that the proposal acknowledges certain elements relevant to the radio sector, including interoperability of radio equipment and the role of spectrum. While we welcome the European Commission’s recognition of radio as an integral part of Europe’s communications landscape and its contribution to the internal market, we believe that the broader cultural and societal role of radio, long acknowledged under the European Electronic Communication Code (EECC), deserves stronger emphasis in the DNA.

In particular, the DNA must safeguard universal access to free-to-air licensed radio broadcasters’ services, and support radio’s critical contribution to the resilience of communication systems, media pluralism and fair competition. As currently drafted, elements of the proposal risk weakening these principles in the specific context of radio.

Without clear and future-proof regulatory safeguards, there is a real risk that free-to-air broadcast radio will no longer be universally available in cars, undermining its role as a trusted, resilient, and universally accessible medium.

This is particularly concerning given that vehicles remain one of the main environments for radio listening (radio listening in vehicles accounts for around 30% of total listening in the majority of EU member states and is as high as 70% of total listening in Italy). Two parallel developments are putting pressure on radio’s position in cars. On the one hand, a growing number of new vehicles are being sold without radio receivers. On the other hand, car manufacturers operating at a global scale are increasingly prioritising partnerships with global digital platforms over direct and unfettered access to licensed radio broadcasting services. Taken together, these trends risk progressively marginalising radio’s presence in vehicles and limiting its ability to reach listeners in one of the very places where radio is listened to the most.

Summary of AER recommendations:

• Guarantee the presence of broadcast radio receivers (FM and DAB+) in all relevant new vehicles put on the EU market; This will deliver universal and unfettered access to radio to EU citizens whilst they are on the move;
• Protect long-term access to UHF spectrum for broadcasting;
• Preserve subsidiarity and avoid excessive EU-level centralisation with regards to spectrum;
• Reject direct or indirect network fees on media services.

Read the full position paper here.

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

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.

Every day, millions of Europeans press the same button: radio.

It informs, connects and reassures us, especially in the car. And yet, this everyday certainty is now at risk.

As Brussels prepares the Digital Networks Act (DNA), a defining law for Europe’s digital future, one simple question must be answered:

will radio still be there when people turn on their cars?

It must be!

Radio is not optional

Radio is Europe’s most trusted medium. It guarantees free, universal access to news, culture and local voices. It supports media pluralism and democratic resilience.

And in times of crisis, it becomes indispensable.

When networks fail and platforms overload, radio keeps working. It delivers life-saving information when it matters most.

Pushing radio out of the car would not be an innovation, it would be a step backwards for safety, trust and democracy.

The dashboard is the new gatekeeper

Cars are becoming digital platforms, controlled by interfaces, algorithms and global tech players.

In this new reality, radio can no longer be taken for granted.

Without clear rules, it risks being buried, sidelined or switched off entirely — replaced by services that priorities profit over public value.

This is not just about competition. It is about whether citizens can still easily access trusted information.

A moment of decision for Europe

The Digital Networks Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this right.

The European Commission has made a start by recognizing radio standards like DAB. But recognition alone is not enough.

The final law must guarantee three simple things:

• radio is available in all cars,
• it is easy to find and use,
• fair treatment alongside global platforms.

Radio must also be recognized for what it is: critical infrastructure for public safety and societal cohesion.

A simple fix with big impact

This is not a complex or costly task.

Keeping radio prominent in cars is a straightforward safeguard with huge public value: for safety, for democracy and for media diversity.

This is not about nostalgia. It is about the future.

Europe is building its digital ecosystem. It must not sideline one of its most trusted and resilient services in the process.

Because for millions of people, radio is not an app.

It is a lifeline.

And it should remain exactly where they expect it — one button away.

More on the big topics shaping radio in Europe by AER President Stefan Möller:
https://radiodayseurope.com/news/the-big-topics-in-commercial-radio-whats-happening-in-europe-right-now/

More information about Radiodays Europe : https://radiodayseurope.com/

Stefan Möller, AER President and CEO of RadioMedia Finland, represents the commercial radio sector at the opening ceremony alongside Edita Kudláčová, Head of Radio at the EBU, reflecting the strong and balanced voice of Europe’s radio ecosystem.

 “Radio remains a lifeline for citizens – especially in cars, which are still the primary place of listening. Safeguarding radio’s access and findability in connected vehicles is therefore the real frontline for our sector. In an ecosystem increasingly shaped by big tech gatekeepers, coordinated EU action is essential to ensure European radio remains universally accessible, trusted and resilient.

In this context, Radiodays Europe plays a crucial role. By bringing together the sector’s professionals from across the globe, the conference provides a unique platform to exchange ideas, drive innovation and ensure radio remains competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving digital environment” says Stefan Möller.

Radiodays Europe continues to serve as the global hub for innovation, collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the audio industry, bringing together more than 1,500 professionals from over 65 countries each year.

More information about Radiodays Europe, its great programme and stellar line-up of speakers, please visit https://radiodayseurope.com/

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.