The U.S. Supreme Court requires that actual malice be proved when:

Question

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The U.S. Supreme Court has given the media an almost absolute privilege when discussing public officials by requiring that the official prove actual malice when suing for false and defamatory statements. This means that the official must prove that the statement was made with knowledge of falsity, or with reckless disregard for the truth, which is usually very difficult to do. The Court felt that the public interest in the "free and unfettered debate" of important social issues justified this limitation on a public official's rights.

The US Supreme Court Requires That Actual Malice Be Proved When