New York Times v. Sullivan

1
New York Times v. Sullivan

• The background (social and judicial)--Alabama in
  1960
• Heed Their Rising Voices
• Sullivan sues for libel--wrong song, didnt
  ring the campus, didnt padlock the cafeteria,
  King only arrested 4X, not 7
• Defendants--NYT and ministers, 500K
• Additional suits--Mayor of Montgomery, State of
  AL, why the strategy?

2
NYT v. Sullivan continued

• Sullivan in the District Court
• Impact on the ministers
• Sullivan wins at the Alabama S. Ct. as well, Ct.
  rejects any constitutional issues
• Why grant writ of certiorari?
• Jan. 1964, oral arguments, decision just 8 weeks
  later, 9-0 win for the New York Times

3
The Decision in NYT

• Brennan behind the scenes (Anthony Lewis, Make No
  Law)
• Libel can claim no talismanic immunity
• a profound national commitment to the principle
  that debate on public issues should be
  uninhibited, robust, and wide-open
• Error is inevitablebreathing space
• Brennan seizes the opportunity to review the
  facts of the case and punish AL judiciary

4
The Impact of NYT v. Sullivan

• The federalization of libel law
• The establishment of the actual malice
  standard---knowingly making false statements,
  demonstrating a reckless disregard for the truth
• Black, Douglas concur Douglas, Goldberg
  concur--malice is problematic
• Protect the media against suits by public
  officials