By AER President Stefan Möller
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/