New York Times v. Sullivan

In this section, the reader is invited to study the court opinions and briefs* that shaped a major facet of First Amendment law. As you read the following pages, you may wish to consider these issues:

• What were the inaccuracies upon which Sullivan's claims of libel were based?
• What about the advertisement made Sullivan believe it was directed at him?
• How did the descriptions of the issues before the Court, and of their significance, differ as presented by the different parties?
• What facts and legal principles did the Alabama Supreme Court rely on for its decision, and how was the U.S. Supreme Court's approach different?
• What sorts of misstatements about a government official do you think would be permissible, and impermissible, under this case?