The French Senate has approved a draft law requiring all new cars to be equipped with a radio, responding to concerns about the loss of reliable information sources during crises. The legislation, which has government backing, aims to ensure drivers can access critical broadcasts if digital communication networks fail.

This move comes amid a notable decline in radio audiences in France, with an 18 percent drop over the past decade, according to industry observers. Radio broadcasters have expressed unease about car manufacturers increasingly making radios optional or omitting them altogether in new models. For instance, the Citroën ë-C3 lacks a built-in radio but offers a smartphone connection, while the Dacia Spring provides a radio only as an optional feature. Similarly, Tesla has removed FM, AM, and DAB radios from entry-level versions of its Model 3.

Catherine Pégard, the culture minister who supports the bill, highlighted the importance of maintaining access to radio broadcasts during emergencies, stating that it is vital for the public to remain informed in times of crisis.

Radio operators emphasized the medium’s unique role in emergency communication, describing broadcast radio as “the only free, resilient and anonymous media in situations of major crisis.” They noted that during incidents such as the electricity blackout in Spain last year and the wildfires in southwestern France this summer, internet services became unavailable, making radio broadcasts essential for disseminating timely information.

According to Médiamétrie, a French audience measurement company, approximately 38.4 million people listen to the radio daily, with an average weekly listening time of 17.25 hours. Vehicle-based listening accounts for nearly three-quarters of radio consumption, underscoring the significance of in-car radios as a means of reaching the population.

The new law aims to address these challenges by mandating that all new vehicles sold in France come equipped with radios, thereby preserving access to this traditional broadcast medium even as digital alternatives become more prevalent.