Actual Malice : Civil Rights and Freedom of the Press in New York Times V. Sullivan

"A detailed examination of . . . the landmark 1964 Supreme Court decision that defined libel laws and increased protections for journalists."— The New York Times Book Review " A heroic narrative." — The New Yorker A deeply researched legal drama that documents this landmark First Amendment ruling—one that is more critical and controversial than ever. Actual Malice tells the full story of New York Times v. Sullivan , the dramatic case that grew out of segregationists' attempts to quash reporting on the civil rights movement. In its landmark 1964 decision, the Supreme Court held that a public official must prove "actual malice" or reckless disregard of the truth to win a libel lawsuit, providing critical protections for free speech and freedom of the press. Drawing on previously unexplored sources, including the archives of the New York Times Company and civil rights leaders, Samantha Barbas tracks the saga behind one of the most important First Amendment rulings in history. She situates the case within the turbulent 1960s and the history of the press, alongside striking portraits of the lawyers, officials, judges, activists, editors, and journalists who brought and defended the case. As the Sullivan doctrine faces growing controversy, Actual Malice reminds us of the stakes of the case that shaped American reporting and public discourse as we know it. " A heroic narrative."—One of The New Yorker 's Best Books of 2023 "A detailed examination of . . . the landmark 1964 Supreme Court decision that defined libel laws and increased protections for journalists."— The New York Times Book Review A deeply researched legal drama that documents this landmark First Amendment ruling—one that is more critical and controversial than ever. Actual Malice tells the full story of New York Times v. Sullivan , the dramatic case that grew out of segregationists' attempts to quash reporting on the civil rights movement. In its landmark 1964 decision, the Supreme Court held that a public official must prove "actual malice" or reckless disregard of the truth to win a libel lawsuit, providing critical protections for free speech and freedom of the press. Drawing on previously unexplored sources, including the archives of the New York Times Company and civil rights leaders, Samantha Barbas tracks the saga behind one of the most important First Amendment rulings in history. She situates the case within the turbulent 1960s and the history of the press, alongside striking portraits of the lawyers, officials, judges, activists, editors, and journalists who brought and defended the case. As the Sullivan doctrine faces growing controversy, Actual Malice reminds us of the stakes of the case that shaped American reporting and public discourse as we know it. A deeply researched legal drama that documents thislandmark First Amendment ruling-one that is more critical andcontroversial than ever. Actual Malice tells thefull story of New York Times v. Sullivan, the dramaticcase that grew out of segregationists' attempts to quash reportingon the civil rights movement. In its landmark 1964 decision, theSupreme Court held that a public official must prove "actualmalice" or reckless disregard of the truth to win a libel lawsuit,providing critical protections for free speech and freedom of thepress. Drawing on previously unexplored sources, including thearchives of the New York Times Company and civil rights leaders,Samantha Barbas tracks the saga behind one of the most importantFirst Amendment rulings in history. She situates the case withinthe turbulent 1960s and the history of the press, alongsidestriking portraits of the lawyers, officials, judges, activists,editors, and journalists who brought and defended the case. As theSullivan doctrine faces growing controversy, Actual Malicereminds us of the stakes of the case that shaped American reportingand public discourse as we know it **A deeply researched legal drama that documents this landmark First Amendment ruling—one that is more critical and controversial than ever.** __Actual Malice__ tells the full story of __New York Times v. Sullivan__, the dramatic case that grew out of segregationists' attempts to quash reporting on the civil rights movement. In its landmark 1964 decision, the Supreme Court held that a public official must prove "actual malice" or reckless disregard of the truth to win a libel lawsuit, providing critical protections for free speech and freedom of the press. Drawing on previously unexplored sources, including the archives of the New York Times Company and civil rights leaders, Samantha Barbas tracks the saga behind one of the most important First Amendment rulings in history. She situates the case within the turbulent 1960s and the history of the press, alongside striking portraits of the lawyers, officials, judges, activists, editors, and journalists who brought and defended the case. As the Sullivan doctrine faces growing controversy, __Actual Malice__ reminds us of the stakes of the case that shaped American reporting and public discourse as we know it. "In its landmark 1964 decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, the Supreme Court held that a public official must prove "actual malice" or reckless disregard of the truth in order to win a libel lawsuit. The case, which grew out of segregationists' attempts to quash reporting on the civil rights movement, revolutionized media reporting and public discourse in America. Drawing on previously unexplored sources, including the papers of the New York Times Company and leaders of the civil rights movement, this book tells the fascinating story of the legal issues and behind-the-scenes maneuvers that led to one of the most important First Amendment rulings in history-a ruling that is more critical and controversial than ever"-- Provided by publisher