CTA Survey: AM Isn't Effective for Alerts
An online survey of how respondents received the Oct. 4 nationwide emergency alert test shows AM radio isn’t the most effective way to disseminate alerts, said CTA in a post on X Thursday. The survey -- done online by CTA…
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over two days among 800 adults -- shows 92% of U.S. adults received the Oct. 4 emergency alert test via their smart phones, 5% heard it on FM radio and 1% on AM radio, CTA said. “Thrilled to unveil new @CTATech research that debunks the myth that #AMradio is the most effective emergency alerting system,” said the post from CTA Policy Affairs Manager India Herdman. CTA said the test shows Congress shouldn’t mandate inclusion of AM radios in automobiles. "Rather than rely on a survey following an EAS test made under ideal circumstances, one should look at the countless real-world examples of broadcast radio providing lifesaving information when all other communications networks -- including and especially wireless networks -- go down," said an NAB spokesperson. NAB has championed legislation requiring AM on the basis of its effectiveness at emergency alerting (see 2305260034. Wireless alerts during disasters often direct recipients to their local news outlets, which are often broadcasters, for emergency information, NAB said.