The Future of Times v. Sullivan

The Future of Times v. Sullivan
Wednesday, Sept. 22
6 p.m. EDT in virtual format

Since 1964 the New York Times Co. v. Sullivan Supreme Court decision has protected journalists from lawsuits designed to stifle aggressive reporting.

That could change soon. Two Supreme Court justices have stated they want to accept cases that could lead to overturning this landmark decision.

Join the SPJ Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m. EDT as we discuss the impact the original decision had on U.S. journalism and what the implications are for the future of journalism if it is overturned. Panelists will be Erik Wemple, media critic for the Washington Post, and media attorney Charles D. Tobin, partner at Ballard Spahr LLP in Washington, D.C.

The virtual session is free, but registration is required. Click HERE to register.

PANELISTS

Erik Wemple, media critic, Washington Post

Erik Wemple has been doing journalism for and about Washington for more than two decades. He started out covering export controls, with an emphasis on the Commerce Department’s long-since-renamed Bureau of Export Administration. But then he took a liking to local affairs, which turned into a position as the Loose Lips columnist for Washington City Paper. Then came a stint covering Washington for a New York-based, media-obsessed product of the Internet bubble (Inside.com, now defunct). After eight years as editor of City Paper and another year as editor of TBD.com, he landed at the Washington Post, where he reports and opines on media organizations of all sorts.

Charles D. Tobin, partner, Ballard Spahr, LLP, Washington, D.C.

Chuck Tobin is a litigator, former journalist, and the practice leader of Ballard Spahr’s Media and Entertainment Law Group. He defends the media in libel and privacy lawsuits in courts throughout the country. He also conducts prepublication content review and advises journalists and news companies on subpoenas, access and privilege issues, Freedom of Information Act requests, copyright matters, and First Amendment rights. in the past few years, he has successfully litigated defamation and freedom of information cases arising from the impeachments of President Donald J. Trump, the Comey Memos, the Mueller Report, the Afghanistan Papers, and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot prosecutions. Tobin is a past chair of the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law and the Media Law Committees of the District of Columbia Bar and The Florida Bar, and he served as president of the Defense Counsel Section of the Media Law Resource Center. He currently serves on the board of the National Press Club Journalism Institute.