Index/Organizations/New York Times Co. v. Sullivan

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan

Landmark United States Supreme Court 1964 ruling

Fact-Checks

15 results
Jan 26, 2026
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What legal precedents govern doxxing, coordination to obstruct law enforcement, and liability for private citizens versus public officials?

The legal response to sits at the intersection of established precedent, traditional tort and criminal law, and a fast-growing patchwork of state statutes and proposed federal bills; courts have repea...

Jan 13, 2026
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What legal standards and precedents apply to defamation claims and investigations when public figures are named in viral abuse allegations?

The law treats public figures differently in defamation disputes: they generally must prove "actual malice"—that a defendant published a false statement knowing it was false or with reckless disregard...

Dec 20, 2025
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How do defamation laws and standards of proof apply when alleging pedophile crimes against a public figure like Donald Trump?

Alleging that a public figure — for example, a former president like Donald Trump — is a pedophile immediately triggers the most stringent defamation rules in U.S. law: the accusation is treated as an...

Dec 5, 2025

What legal protections exist for public figures against defamation and verbal attacks in the U.S.?

Public figures in the U.S. can sue for defamatory falsehoods, but the law requires them to prove "actual malice" — that the defendant knew a statement was false or recklessly disregarded its truth — a...

Feb 5, 2026

why can the us government lie to me but i can't lie to it

The law treats lies to and lies by the government differently because of a mix of criminal statutes that punish private deception directed at public authorities, constitutional free‑speech protections...

Feb 4, 2026

What legal standards determine whether unproven allegations about public figures are published in media reports?

Unproven allegations about can be published so long as publishers navigate and : the key legal test for public officials and public figures is whether the publisher acted with “actual malice” — knowle...

Feb 2, 2026

What precedent cases could influence the outcome of Michelle Obama's suit against the Kennedys?

The available reporting about a purported v. defamation suit is largely sensational and unverified, so direct documentary linkage to legal precedents is absent in the sources provided . Given that lim...

Jan 31, 2026

What legal arguments has the Supreme Court considered in petitions seeking review of defamation verdicts against sitting presidents?

has been asked to weigh a narrow set of procedural and constitutional arguments in petitions arising from against sitting presidents: whether presidents enjoy immunity or special protections from stat...

Jan 3, 2026

What standards of proof for actual malice apply in U.S. defamation suits brought by public figures, and how might they affect Macron v. Owens?

The Supreme Court’s “actual malice” rule requires a public-figure plaintiff to prove that a defendant published a false, defamatory statement either knowing it was false or with reckless disregard for...

Nov 20, 2025

Are defamation and libel exceptions to free speech protections?

Defamation (libel and slander) is a recognized limit on free speech: false statements of fact that harm reputation can be actionable under U.S. law, and the First Amendment does not protect all false ...

Nov 10, 2025

How did the Supreme Court rule on Trump's media-related legal challenges?

The core finding is that the Supreme Court did not issue a broad, merits-level ruling resolving Donald Trump’s media‑related legal challenges; instead, at least one high‑profile social‑media case was ...

Nov 6, 2025

How does the lawsuit relate to freedom of speech and public figure protections?

The core claim from the provided analyses is that the lawsuit implicates —the "actual malice" rule that makes it harder for public officials or public figures to win libel suits (New York Times Co. v....

Nov 4, 2025

What are the consequences of spreading false information about public figures?

Spreading false information about public figures can cause significant reputational harm and trigger legal action, but U.S. law sets a high bar for defamation claims by public figures: they must prove...

Nov 2, 2025

What Supreme Court cases define limits on false statements by public officials?

The Supreme Court has drawn distinct lines on when false statements by public officials or about public matters lose First Amendment protection: the Court has required in defamation suits by public of...

Oct 31, 2025

How does the outcome of this lawsuit impact future defamation cases involving public figures?

The central legal rule shaping defamation suits by public figures remains the "actual malice" standard from New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, which requires proof that a defendant knew a statement was f...