Samantha Barbas, a law professor from Iowa College and author of *Actual Malice*, joins the discussion on the landmark Supreme Court case, New York Times v. Sullivan. She explains how this 1964 decision transformed defamation law and protected press freedom during the Civil Rights Movement. The conversation delves into the 'actual malice' standard, its origins in the fight against racial injustice, and its relevance today amidst evolving libel concerns. Barbas also emphasizes the continuing struggle for media accountability in a democratic society.