Reading Room Document

Memorandum entitled "Authority of the Federal Communications Commission to Prohibit Cigarette Commercials on Radio and Television"

The document discusses the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prohibit cigarette commercials on radio and television. It includes a memo from the Attorney General expressing agreement with the conclusions reached in the memorandum, but not with some of the legal theories advanced. The document also presents a concise summary of the questions for review, including whether the free speech guarantee in the Constitution would prohibit the FCC from banning cigarette commercials on radio and television, and whether the FCC's general rulemaking power to implement the public interest in broadcasting would allow it to adopt the proposed rule. Additionally, it discusses the specific statutory authority for the proposed rule and the prohibition of FCC "censorship."

April 8, 1969