New York Times vs. Sullivan

Jennifer KochCivics and Economics

Block 2

Official Name:

New York Times Company vs. Sullivan Case Heard:

January of 1964 Case Decided:

March of 1964 Plaintiff:

NY Times Co. Defendant:

L.B. Sullivan

NEW YORK TIMES v. SULLIVAN. The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. 22 October 2013. <http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1963/1963_39>.

Case Overview

Malice and falsity assumed No proof of truth Didn’t need proof of being harmed Sullivan won

(in all courts except US Supreme)

NEW YORK TIMES v. SULLIVAN. The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. 22 October 2013. <http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1963/1963_39>.

Alabama Public Policy

Sullivan was not even mentioned in the ad No proof of malice intent Unaware of the false statements 1st Amendment

Freedom of press Freedom of speech

http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0376_0254_ZS.html

Plaintiff (NY Times)

Montgomery city commissioner

Responsible for police department No proof ad was true Under Alabama law Ad contain some false statements

http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/new-york-times-company-v-sullivan.html

Defendant(L.B. Sullivan)

New York Times Co.

Washington Post Company The Tribune Company ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)

Sullivan None

http://aclu.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=394

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Ruled in favor of NY Times Co. 9 in favor to 0 opposed 1st amendment

Published statements (even false)

Unless made with malice

http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/new-york-times-company-v-sullivan.html

Supreme Court Decision

There was no dissenting opinion 9 to 0 ruling

http://www.freedomforum.org/packages/first/defamationandfirstamendment/casesummaries.htm

Dissenting Opinion

States can not award public officials

Unless malice intent is proven 1st amendment

Published statement (even false) About public officials Unless malice intent

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=376&invol=254

Present Public Policy