Belgium’s Flemish, French- and German-speaking communities have agreed on a joint position calling for radio reception to remain standard in new vehicles, according to Flemish political party N-VA. The country will take that position into European negotiations over the Digital Networks Act, arguing that drivers should not become dependent solely on internet radio and streaming services for in-car listening.
Cieltje Van Achter, Flemish minister of media, Jacqueline Galant, French-speaking minister of media, and Gregor Freches, German-speaking minister of media, pointed to the need to preserve direct access to radio. “The car must not become a closed streaming platform. Anyone who wants to listen to radio while traveling should be able to do so directly, without a subscription, without using data and without first having to search through different apps,” they said. They added that agreement among Belgium’s three communities strengthens the case for keeping radio available in new vehicles.
According to N-VA, around 17% of total radio listening in Flanders takes place while people are traveling, with a similar figure in Wallonia. The party also pointed to radio’s continued role as a trusted source of news and the resilience of over-the-air reception, which does not require a mobile connection and helps keep local stations accessible.
Van Achter argued that streaming should complement rather than displace broadcast radio. “Technological progress should give listeners more choices, not fewer. Streaming is a valuable addition, but it must not replace free and direct access to radio. Radio must also remain easy to find on the dashboard,” she said.
You can read the full statement (published in Belgian Dutch) here.
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