actual malice
Deliberate defamation standard
Actual malice is a legal standard in defamation cases involving public figures, requiring proof that a statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for whether it was true.
Established by the U.S.
Supreme Court in *New York Times v.
Sullivan* (1964), the standard protects press freedom by making it harder for public officials and celebrities to win libel suits: The plaintiff failed to prove actual malice.
Despite the name, it doesn't require spite or ill will—only awareness that the statement might be false.
- First AmendmentConstitutional free expression guarantee
- freedom of the pressConstitutional journalism protection
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- public figureProminent, widely recognized person
- libelPrinted defamation
knowingly · New York Times · landmark case · defamation laws · burden of proof · high bar · Sullivan · false statements · deceit · chilling effect · public interest · public official · legal standard · punitive damages · reputational harm · damages · falsehood · reckless
actual malicenegligence
Failure to exercise care
gross negligence · strict liability · due diligence · professional negligence
actual malicegood faith
Sincere, honest intent
honest belief · reasonable belief · honest mistake · subjective truth
actual malicegood faith
Sincere, honest intent
honest intent · truth-seeking · responsible journalism · fair comment · fair dealing
actual, actually, malice, malicious, actuality, actuate, malignant, malignity, actualize