United States Leading Case actual malicepublic officialfree speechconstitutional limits

New York Times Co v Sullivan

376 U.S. 254 (1964)

JurisdictionUnited States

CourtSupreme Court of the United States

Year1964

StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

The First Amendment requires a public official suing for defamation to prove actual malice — knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.

Area of Law

constitutional

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