Censorship of Advertisers

Protection for advertising and other forms of "commercial speech" under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution dates back only to the mid-1970s. Historically, most U.S. court rulings regarding the protection of commercial speech have concerned attempts to block ads for information considered socially valuable?positions on social issues such as healthcare, for example?or to purchase ads for political candidates. The Supreme Court has consistently shown little interest in protecting advertisers' right to sell soft drinks, cars, dog food and the like.