Minister of Communications: How About Being Remembered by Future Generations?

The position of Minister of Communications in Brazil is a federal government appointment responsible for regulating and overseeing broadcasting services (radio and television). Although strategic, it is a role that rarely garners public attention — but that can change.

Jumpstarting AM Radio Digitalization: A Free Band with No Resistance

Brazil currently holds a rare opportunity on the global stage: to begin radio digitalization in the short term, and in a virtually unoccupied band, the AM spectrum. It’s fertile ground, where digital systems that have operated over AM for decades can be deployed.

Of course, it’s not just a matter of following protocol. Local, real-world tests must be conducted with well-defined timelines and measurable goals. Loose schedules and disconnected results must be avoided.

The choice of the ideal system should come through comparative testing, assessing transmission efficiency, transition conditions for the industry and broadcasters, and above all, scalability, both in listener adoption and in the construction of new transmission infrastructure. Contractual obligations imposed by each system on the country must also be considered.

We don’t need another 20 years to reach a conclusion. The options are known, tested, and ready to be evaluated.

AM Is the First to Enter the Pit Lane

AM is already running on worn-out tires, at risk of breaking down any moment. The need for digitalization is urgent. As I’ve stated in previous articles, the proposal is not to gradually migrate AM, but to begin with 100% digital transmissions. The AM band in Brazil is practically deserted, which greatly facilitates the distribution of channels for exclusive digital operation.

How to Be Remembered for Doing What Others Haven’t?

TV digitalization in Brazil was slow but inevitable. The transition took years and had its impact diluted across multiple governments. In radio, however, there is room for faster action with tangible results in the short term.

There are shortcuts the world has already tested, and there are new ways to avoid extreme gradualism, which, contrary to what many believe, doesn’t help listener adaptation; it discourages users and paralyzes the industry.

Digitalizing Radio Is Much More Than Improving Audio

Digital TV brought only image quality improvements. Digital radio, on the other hand, offers far more: interactivity, file transmission, text, images, and even videos. Above all, it gives new life to the AM band, now on the brink of extinction, transforming it into a modern platform with clean audio and broad regional and national reach.

The strategy can be to start with AM, consolidate a digital listening culture, and only then bring the transformation to FM. This allows the market, the industry, and the audience to adapt organically.

Do You Know Who the Current Minister of Communications Is?

Probably not. And I won’t mention the name here (to prove a point). Most people don’t know who holds the office. But that could change. A minister who enables this transformation could be remembered for decades, just for allowing the digitalization models already available to demonstrate their potential in the country.

Key Milestones to Be Remembered As Minister of Communications:

• To be remembered for reviving AM with outstanding sound quality

• To be remembered for eliminating static from Brazilian radio

• To be remembered for placing radio ahead of TV in digital interactivity

• To be remembered for offering crystal-clear radio over long distances

In a country where the public usually only remembers the Ministers of Economy, Health, or Education — often for negative reasons — standing out in a ministry that rarely produces notable names would be a unique achievement in any public career.

The very act of the Minister and the President announcing the implementation of digital radio, in itself, already secures their place in history

The Minister has several paths to accelerate the popularization of digital radio. One of the most impactful measures would be to facilitate the importation of digital receivers, giving the public direct access to the new technology. The same import exemptions could be extended to the national industry, encouraging the development of new transmitters, processors, and equipment compatible with modern digital broadcasting standards.

In addition, the Ministry could streamline the licensing policy, adapting it to the digital era. One bold, yet entirely feasible, proposal would be to allow existing FM broadcasters to apply for a secondary digital channel in the AM band. This could immediately spark interest from major players such as BAND, CBN, Rádio Jornal (Recife), Rádio Clube (Recife), and Verdinha (Fortaleza).

The potential is enormous: new formats, new services, and a thriving digital broadcasting economy could take shape, revitalizing the entire value chain, from manufacturing to retail, from education to advertising. A true transformation of the sector could be driven by political decisions that are simple, yet strategically powerful.

What Digital Radio Can Offer:

• Listener interactivity

• Transmission of text, image, and video files

• Superior sound quality

• Regional and national coverage with energy efficiency

How Could Brazilians Ever Forget They Can Listen to Distant Radios with Quality?

I imagine myself here, listening to Rádio Jornal de Pernambuco, with its rich content and excellent team, even over 200 kilometers away. Likewise, I could tune into local stations from the interior of Rio Grande do Norte or Paraíba.

Even the smallest local stations will be able to establish strong regional connections with their communities. AM broadcasters could become powerful tools for distance learning, with the features offered by the DRM system, such as sending supporting materials directly to tablets, assisting teachers and students in the educational process.

The new frontiers of digital radio will be limited only by our imagination.

If there is a ministry where making history is rare, that’s exactly where it stands out the most when it happens. And Brazilian radio is ready for that turning point.