Overview

• David Enrich's book, 'Murder the Truth,' documents a growing campaign to overturn the New York Times v. Sullivan precedent, which protects journalists from defamation lawsuits unless 'actual malice' is proven.
• The movement to weaken press protections has gained momentum, with Donald Trump and allies advocating for changes to libel laws and leveraging lawsuits to intimidate journalists.
• Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch have publicly called for revisiting Sullivan, while other justices' positions remain uncertain, raising concerns about potential shifts in precedent.
• Smaller and independent news outlets face significant financial and operational strain from escalating legal threats, with some forced to shut down or abandon investigative reporting.
• Enrich warns of increasing physical and digital threats to journalists, fueled by incendiary rhetoric from political leaders, and highlights the chilling effect on accountability journalism.