iHeartMedia Praises WWNC's Hurricane Resilience; Radio Industry Urges FCC to Maintain Central Role in Emergency Alerts
iHeartMedia has praised its Asheville, N.C. AM station, WWNC, for staying operational during Hurricane Helene in September 2024, with staff trapped and facing power, water, and cell phone service shortages. Meanwhile, the radio industry, including iHeartMedia and National Public Radio, has urged the FCC to maintain radio's central role in emergency alert systems, citing its resilience and robustness.
NPR has cautioned the FCC about relying too heavily on broadband for emergency messaging, citing its limitations during significant emergencies. The radio industry continues to advocate for the importance of AM and FM bands for emergency alerting. REC Networks, however, has argued against mandating emergency alerting for all stations, suggesting alternatives are available. It also opposes complex cybersecurity requirements and multilingual technology for small stations, advocating for a 'one size fits all' approach. The FCC has received various comments on its proposed rulemaking to modernize emergency alerting systems, including EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
iHeartMedia's experience with WWNC during Hurricane Helene underscores radio's importance in emergencies. The industry's call to maintain radio's central role in alert systems, along with REC Networks' arguments for tailored requirements, will shape the FCC's modernization efforts for emergency alerting.
