New York Times v. Sullivan and Libel Standards

The Supreme Court case New York Times v. Sullivan established critical First Amendment protections regarding libel, particularly for public figures. The case arose from a civil rights advertisement in the New York Times that contained minor inaccuracies and led L.B. Sullivan, the public safety commissioner of Montgomery, Alabama, to sue for libel. The Court ruled in 1964 that public figures must demonstrate actual malice—that is, prove that statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth—before being awarded damages. This standard significantly elevated the burden of proof required for public figures to win libel cases, thereby encouraging robust debate on public issues without the fear of frivolous lawsuits.