LANDMARK CASE

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan

376 U.S. 254 (1964) · Supreme Court of the United States · Media law

At a glance

Citation: 376 U.S. 254 (1964)
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Area of law: Media law
In one line: Only if they prove 'actual malice': knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth.

1 Facts

A public official sued the newspaper for an advertisement with minor factual errors about police conduct.

2 Issue

When can public officials win defamation suits?

3 What the court decided

Only if they prove 'actual malice': knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth.

4 Why it matters

Influenced R. Rajagopal in India.

5 Think about it

Why protect even some false statements about officials?

6 Analyse it yourself

Read the full judgment from an official source or a law database, then brief it in seven steps: facts, issues, arguments, decision, ratio, obiter and significance. Always check the citation before you rely on it.

7 More cases on Media law

Sahara India Real Estate Corporation v. SEBI (2012) 10 SCC 603

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A short teaching summary for students. Educational content only, not legal advice.