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.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, the SPJ Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter hosted a virtual program, “The Future of Times v. Sullivan,” about the current state of the ruling and the future prospects for its influence with Erik Wemple, media critic for the Washington Post, and media attorney Charles D. Tobin, partner at Ballard Spahr LLP in Washington, D.C.
The panel discussion, moderated by national SPJ Freedom of Information Committee Chair Haisten Willis, explored the impact the original decision had on U.S. journalism and what the implications are for the future of journalism if it is overturned.