Supreme Court Explorer
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
376 U.S. 254
Holding / constitutional rule
Required public officials seeking damages for defamatory falsehoods relating to official conduct to prove actual malice.
Why it matters
A major First Amendment decision protecting robust criticism of government and public officials.
Connected Research
Government research source
Constitution Annotated / CRS search →
The holding and significance above are concise editorial summaries, not quotations from the opinion. Follow the government source to review constitutional analysis and underlying case authorities.