In this course we will examine the historical and legal events that led to the landmark decision that established the legal test for libel regarding public figures and the media. Actual Malice tells the story of New York Times v. Sullivan, the pivotal First Amendment ruling by the Supreme Court in 1964 that grew out of segregationists’ attempts to quash reporting on the civil rights movement. The Court’s decision established that public figures must prove “actual malice” or reckless disregard for the truth to win a libel suit, a high standard that has protected free speech and freedom of the press for decades. At a time when Sullivan faces renewed scrutiny, Actual Malice offers a timely and powerful reminder of the case’s enduring significance and the vital role it continues to play in protecting free speech in American democracy.
Read: Actual Malice: Civil Rights and Freedom of the Press in New York Times v. Sullivan, Samantha Barbas
This course is offered with the generous support of the Association for Continuing Education.