1. Name of Case
New York Times v. Sullivan 376 U.S.254, 84 S.CT. 710 (1964)
2. Facts of Case
The New York Times was sued by L.B Sullivan. Sullivan was a commissioner in the city of Montgomery. Sullivan wanted compensation for advertisements posted in the Times. The advertisement was published on March 29, 1960. The advertisement was called, “Heed Their Rising Voices,” and complained about the status of civil rights in the South. It was a long advertisement with some factual inaccuracies. Sullivan claimed these inaccuracies were cause for libel and was able to win $500,000. The New York Times appealed to the Supreme Court (O’Brien 596-97).
3. Questions of the Court
Did Alabama’s libel law violate the First Amendment?
4. Holding
Yes. The Court ruled 9-0 in favor of the New York Times.
5. Opinion of the Court
Justice Brennan delivered the Opinion of the Court. The Court must decide how far the First Amendment extends when states are considering libel awards. L.B. Sullivan is a Commissioner of Montgomery Alabama. Sullivan is suing African American Clergymen and the New York Times. Sullivan claimed he was libeled by an advertisement on March 29, 1960. The ten paragraph …show more content…
The State Supreme Court stated, “The Fourteenth Amendment is directed against State action and not private action” (O’Brien 599). Alabama courts have used a, “state rule of law,” which petioner’s argue violate their freedom of speech and press. The second incorrect argument is that First Amendment protections do not apply here because it came from an advertisement. The lower court leans on Valentine v. Chrestensen (1942). However, in Valentine, the advertisement was commercial. This advertisement in the New York Times gave opinions, complaints, abuses, and wanted financial support for the civil rights movement. The New York Times being paid for the advertisement is irrelevant. Any other decision would deter editorial opinions in
New York Times v. Sullivan 376 U.S.254, 84 S.CT. 710 (1964)
2. Facts of Case
The New York Times was sued by L.B Sullivan. Sullivan was a commissioner in the city of Montgomery. Sullivan wanted compensation for advertisements posted in the Times. The advertisement was published on March 29, 1960. The advertisement was called, “Heed Their Rising Voices,” and complained about the status of civil rights in the South. It was a long advertisement with some factual inaccuracies. Sullivan claimed these inaccuracies were cause for libel and was able to win $500,000. The New York Times appealed to the Supreme Court (O’Brien 596-97).
3. Questions of the Court
Did Alabama’s libel law violate the First Amendment?
4. Holding
Yes. The Court ruled 9-0 in favor of the New York Times.
5. Opinion of the Court
Justice Brennan delivered the Opinion of the Court. The Court must decide how far the First Amendment extends when states are considering libel awards. L.B. Sullivan is a Commissioner of Montgomery Alabama. Sullivan is suing African American Clergymen and the New York Times. Sullivan claimed he was libeled by an advertisement on March 29, 1960. The ten paragraph …show more content…
The State Supreme Court stated, “The Fourteenth Amendment is directed against State action and not private action” (O’Brien 599). Alabama courts have used a, “state rule of law,” which petioner’s argue violate their freedom of speech and press. The second incorrect argument is that First Amendment protections do not apply here because it came from an advertisement. The lower court leans on Valentine v. Chrestensen (1942). However, in Valentine, the advertisement was commercial. This advertisement in the New York Times gave opinions, complaints, abuses, and wanted financial support for the civil rights movement. The New York Times being paid for the advertisement is irrelevant. Any other decision would deter editorial opinions in