STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN REED HUNDT ON NCADD PETITION ON ALCOHOL ADVERTISING MAY 14, 1997 Yet more concerned citizens have asked the FCC to take a hard look at the issues raised by the introduction of hard-liquor advertisements on television. I believe that the FCC's statutory duty to ensure that the public airwaves are used in the public interest requires us to act. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, and co-signors, argue that, in order to offset the risks to kids posed by alcohol ads, the FCC should require broadcasters to provide counter-advertising to inform young people about the dangers of drinking. This approach had a tremendous effect when it was applied to cigarette advertising in the late 1960's, and should be considered here. A Notice of Inquiry would allow us to consider counter-advertising, as well as proposals made by others. - FCC -