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Sullivan Vs New York Times Case Study

461 Words2 Pages

Nichele Rascoe
MCO 300 –Media Law and Ethics
Dr. Breslin

Name of Case: New York Times v. Sullivan
Citation: 273 Ala. 656, 144 So.2d 25, reversed and remanded
Date of Decision: March 9th, 1964
Vote: 9-0
Author of Opinion: Justice Brennan
Legal Topic: Freedom of Speech
Posture of the Case: Sullivan (plaintiff) v. New York Times (defendant). Sullivan is holding New York Times libel for printing a false advertisement about the civil rights movement. The trial judge explained to the jury that many of the statements were “libelous per se” which is to falsely claim that an individual committed a crime of moral turpitude. The court ruled in favor of the New York Times, however, Sullivan presented to the Supreme Court. …show more content…

Martin Luther King Jr. This civil case evolved when the New York Times published an advertisement entitled, “Heed Their Rising Voices” published on March 9, 1960 and paid for by the “Committee to defend Martin Luther King Jr. and the struggle for Freedom in the South” which implicated Sullivan as being against the civil liberties of the black community in Alabama. The plaintiff claims that his reputation was slandered due to the First Amendment, which is freedom of speech. A jury in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County granted $500,000 to Sullivan. $500,000 was the full amount claimed against the petitioners.

Questions Presented: Did the libel law applied by the Alabama Court violate the First Amendment?

Answer:

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