What was the significance of the case New York Times v Sullivan?
New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) i s a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that First Amendment freedom of speech protections limit the ability of public officials to sue for defamation .
How much did Sullivan get from the New York Times?
Sullivan asked for $500,000 and the jury awarded him the full amount. The New York Times appealed, but the Supreme Court of Alabama affirmed the jury’s award. The state high court also made further legal findings.
What is the actual malice standard in New York Times v Sullivan?
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. The actual malice standard requires that the plaintiff in a defamation case, if that person is a public official or public figure, prove that the publisher of the statement in question knew that the statement was false or acted in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity.
Is the evidence enough to support a judgment against Sullivan?
The presented evidence is insufficient to constitutionally support a judgment for Sullivan, as there was no indication of actual malice. New York Times Co. v. Sullivan established the “actual malice” standard necessary for public officials seeking recovery in a civil defamation action.
What is “actual malice” in New York Times v Sullivan?
In New York Times v. Sullivan, the Supreme Court added a constitutional gloss to state defamation law, requiring public officials to show that defamatory falsehoods relating to their official conduct had been published with “actual malice”—meaning knowledge that the statements were false or reckless disregard as to their falsity.
What is Sullivan defamation law?
Until Sullivan, defamation law was entirely defined by the law of the states with no constraints imposed by the Constitution. Since Sullivan defamation law has been “constitutionalized” with the Supreme Court expanding and refining the boundaries of free speech.
When did Abernathy v Sullivan take place?
[ Footnote * ] Together with No. 40, Abernathy et al. v. Sullivan, also on certiorari to the same court, argued January 7, 1964.