NYT v. Sullivan is a landmark SCOTUS case regarding libel. It protects the Press and specifically 1st Amendment protections guaranteeing a free press by establishing a high bar for a citizen to sue the press for libel.
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan was a landmark decision enacted by the US Supreme Court in 1964. It stated that, a press report or publication would be <u>considered libel</u> (defamatory printed communications) <u>if the "actual malice" standard or principle is met. </u>
Actual malice is defined as the requirement that public officials need to prove in order to suit for libel, if they want to have a chance to suceed in a lawsuit. Public officials and public personalities are subject to tougher standards than ordinary people, who are not known for the general public.
