Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch have both recently advocated for the overturning of New York Times v. Sullivan, the case that Alexander Meiklejohn described as “an occasion for dancing in the streets.” For almost 60 years, Sullivan has made it very difficult for “public figures” to successfully sue news organizations for defamation. However, Sullivan has always been a controversial opinion. What some see as an important safeguard of press freedom, others see as an excuse for journalistic irresponsibility. This roundtable will discuss whether Thomas and Gorsuch are correct that, in the current media landscape, Sullivan no longer serves free speech values. More generally: Should Sullivan be limited? Expanded? Abolished? And what could, should, or might take its place?

This event is presented by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.

Event time is 4-5:30 p.m. ET, 3-4:30 p.m. CT

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