Explain the importance and impact of New York Times v. Sullivan.

What will be an ideal response?


A description of case circumstances: (a) civil rights leaders purchased an informational advertisement in The New York Times, (b) a civil rights case in which Southern officials wanted to drive out Northern reporters, (c) jury awarded Sullivan $500,000, a decision the Alabama Supreme Court upheld. Supreme Court opinion authored by Justice William Brennan: (a) applied actual malice standard to cases involving public official plaintiffs; actual malice is knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth, and (b) principle soon thereafter extended to public figure plaintiffs. Brennan’s rationale: (a) “breathing space” needed by the press and citizen-critics, (b) debate on issues of public importance should be “uninhibited, robust, and wide open,” and (c) applied First Amendment to libel; without this added protection, freedom of the press is violated; arguably resulted in a more aggressive press, witness subsequent coverage of civil rights, Vietnam, Watergate, etc.

Communication & Mass Media

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You are in the process of reporting on an upcoming vote to increase funding for local schools. Which of the following is a proactive step that will most benefit your reporting on the topic?

A. Read the daily vote projections and polls to get a sense of whether the measure is likely to pass or fail. B. Ask supporters of the bill to explain it to you in detail. C. Read coverage of previous school funding votes and look for patterns in voter behavior. D. Decide where you stand on the issue and write an editorial supporting or opposing the measure.

Communication & Mass Media

It is imperative to give great consideration to the occasion for which the speech will be made

so that the tone, content and delivery style are appropriate. Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Communication & Mass Media

Roberto gave a speech on banning plastic water bottles on campus, citing environmental reasons. He supported his central idea by pointing out that plastic bottles account for much of the litter left on campus. This supporting information is called a

a. secondary idea. b. minor point. c. subpoint. d. minor topic.

Communication & Mass Media

__________________ roles are assumed by group members who strive to get along and satisfy one another's interpersonal needs while pursuing a shared goal

a) Self-centered b) Task c) Social Maintenance d) Participation e) Procedural

Communication & Mass Media