This page contains the full-text reproduction of Federal Communications Commission Document, FCC 74-78, "BROADCAST OF INFORMATION BY MEANS OF `SUBLIMINAL PERCEPTION' TECHNIQUES," issued January 24, 1974.

PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, NW.
Washington, D.C. 20554

For recorded listing of releases and texts call 632-0002
For general information call 632-7260


FCC 74-78
08055
January 24, 1974 - B

BROADCAST OF INFORMATION BY MEANS OF
"SUBLIMINAL PERCEPTION" TECHNIQUES

Shortly before Christmas 1971 the Commission received a few complaints that some television stations had broadcast an advertisement which contained a statement of such short duration that most viewers were unaware of it -- at least, consciously unaware of it. The message broadcast in this matter was "Get It," referring to the product advertised in the commercial. Since this statement could not be consciously perceived by most persons, it involved the use of the "subliminal perception" technique which was the subject of Commission inquiry years ago.

In a Public Notice dated November 27, 1957, the Commission noted that the Television Code Board of the NAB (then the NARTB) had asked its subscribers to refer any proposals for television use of subliminal perception to the Board. In that Notice, the Commission stated in part:

Deep concern has been expressed by members of the public, the broadcast industry and leaders in public life with respect to the use of "subliminal perception" advertising by television stations. That this concern has a firm basis is evidenced by the action of the NARTB and the caution with which television licensees have approached the technique. Obviously, it is a matter which vitally concerns the public interest. Accordingly, the Commission's study is being directed toward determining what appropriate steps, if any, should be taken by the Commission with respect to the possible use of the above technique by the television licensees. The posture of the problem is such that the public interest is not in immediate danger of being adversely affected. Ample proof has been given of the recognition by television licensees of their responsibilities and obligation to operate their stations in the public interest.

At that time the Commission had no information that any television station had made use of subliminal perception techniques, except on an experimental basis and for scientific purposes, and after 1957 no instance of telecasting of such messages came to the attentions of the Commission until the 1973 pre-Christmas advertising campaign, in which an advertising agency distributed spots involving the "Get It" statement.

Commission inquiry revealed that the NAB TV Code Authority had learned of the use of the subliminal messages in late November and had received a statement from the advertising agency that it was dispatching telegrams to all stations to which the advertisements had been sent, informing them of the subliminal statements, authorizing the stations to delete the statements from the spots and informing that stations that film prints which did not contain the "Get It" flashes would be sent to them. (The Television Code now prohibits the use of "Any technique whereby an attempt is made to convey information to the viewer by transmitting messages below the threshold of normal awareness...")

Despite the Code Authority's action, some stations apparently continued to broadcast spots containing the "Get It" statement, and some state they have no record of having received the telegram from the agency.

We believe that the use of subliminal perception is inconsistent with the obligations of a licensee, and therefore we take this occasion to make clear that broadcasts employing such techniques are contrary to the public interest. Whether effective or not, such broadcasts clearly are intended to be deceptive.

In closing, we note that the Federal Trade Commission also received a complaint about the pre-Christmas announcements, and that it is making inquiry in the matter in light of the laws that it administers.

Action by the Commission January 23, 1974. Commissioners Burch [Chairman], Lee, Reid, Wiley and Hooks.

[END]

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