New York Times v. Sullivan

A Supreme Court case establishing a test for libel cases. In New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, a unanimous court sided with the New York Times. The ultimate test for defamation (libel) was affirmed that, under the First Amendment, a defendant must show the plaintiff knew the statements were false or that the plaintiff was reckless in deciding to make the false statements.

The case began when the New York Times published a full-page ad soliciting donations to defend Martin Luther King, Jr., on charges of perjury. The ad contained several factual errors about the Montgomery, Ala., police actions. The Montgomery Public Safety commissioner, who was not named in the ad, wrote a letter requesting retraction based on the errors. When the New York Times refused, he sued.

To read the opinion and concurrences, visit FindLaw’s Case Law resources.

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