Reader Advocates for Radio's Privacy-Respecting Nature Amidst Digital Surveillance Concerns
Aaron Read, a reader from Providence, R.I., has submitted a letter to Radio World arguing for the continued relevance and importance of AM and FM radio, particularly in the context of growing concerns over digital privacy. Read contends that radio stands out as the only mass medium that does not inherently spy on its users or sell their personal data, unlike many modern digital platforms and devices. He highlights that while smartphones have seen greater growth, the number of radios in use has never declined, indicating its enduring presence. Furthermore, he points out that the recent passage of the 'AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act' will benefit both AM and FM radio by ensuring receivers pick up both bands, and that emergency communication, while important, is not the sole business model for radio. Read emphasizes that radio empowers the listener with control, allowing them to change the channel easily without facing the complexities and data exploitation common in other media.
