MEP Sunčana Glavak has sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for clear safeguards in the forthcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) to protect the presence of radio in new, connected vehicles.
As cars increasingly become software-driven digital platforms, radio’s availability and prominence on in-car dashboards can no longer be taken for granted. The letter warns that, without clear rules, global technology platforms and automotive manufacturers could become gatekeepers for access to audio content, with potential consequences for media pluralism, consumer choice and public safety.
“Radio remains Europe’s most trusted medium and, in times of crisis, it is often the one channel that continues to provide citizens with timely information and guidance, especially in the event of network disruptions or power outages. In the digital age, radio must not become a hidden option, but should remain visible and easily accessible to all,” Glavak said.
The letter calls on the Commission to ensure that the DNA includes provisions to:
(1) require the continued inclusion of radio receivers in all new vehicles placed on the EU market;
(2) guarantee the easy discoverability and accessibility of licensed radio services via in-car interfaces; and
(3) ensure a level playing field between radio and global audio platforms.
The Digital Networks Act is one of the Commission’s key initiatives to strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure and competitiveness, with a focus on investment, resilience and the modernisation of the telecoms framework. The Commission is set to present the proposal on 21 January 2026 during the Strasbourg plenary session.
Initiated by Glavak, the letter has been co-signed by a broad, cross-party group of MEPs from the EPP, Renew Europe, S&D and the Greens, underlining the shared political commitment to safeguarding radio as a trusted public-interest medium and an essential safety channel in the era of connected mobility.
