Document: 401 U.S. 279 91 S.Ct. 633 28 L.Ed.2d 45 TIME, INCORPORATED, Petitioner,v.Frank PAPE. No. 109. Argued Dec. 16, 1970. Decided Feb. 24, 1971. Rehearing Denied April 5, See 1015, 1248. Syllabus In a discussion of 'police brutality and related private violence' in its 1961 Report, the Civil Rights Commission mentioned case Monroe v. Pape, 365 167, 81 473, 5 492, listed some allegations Monroe's civil rights complaint filed against certain Chicago policemen headed by Deputy Chief Detectives Pape. an article about Time magazine quoted from summary complaint, without indicating that charges were not independent findings Commission. Pape sued petitioner publisher for libel. The Court Appeals reversed District Court's grant Time's motion judgment, holding there had to be trial on question whether failure make clear it was reporting no more than showed 'actual malice' (knowledge information false or reckless disregard not) under rule New York Times Co. Sullivan, 376 254, 84 710, 11 686. At author researcher admitted awareness wording Report been significantly altered but insisted real meaning changed. granted directed verdict at close evidence, reversed, jury should determine omission word 'alleged' malice.' Both courts agreed 'public official' concerned his 'official conduct.' Held: circumstances this did engage 'falsification' sufficient itself sustain finding Pp. 284—292. (a) magazine's amounted adoption one several rational interpretations document bristling with ambiguities, while choice might reflect misconception, enough create issue 'malice' Times, supra, as would impose stricter standard liability errors interpretation judgment historic fact. P. 290. (b) This is confined specific facts case, nothing herein understood making superfluity published reports damaging reputation. 292. 419 F.2d 980, remanded. Don H. Reuben, Chicago, Ill., petitioner. Patrick W. Dunne, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 November 1961, United States issued fifth volume year, entitled Justice. A part devoted study violence,' contained following paragraph: 2 'Search, seizure, violence: 1958.—The Supreme decided (365 492) February 20, 1961. Although decision finally dispose permit plaintiff sue police officers violation Federal Acts basis which alleged that: 3 '* * (O)n October 29, 1958, 5:45 a.m., thirteen led broke through two doors apartment, woke couple flashlights, forced them gunpoint leave their bed stand naked center living room; roused six children herded into Detective struck times flashlight, calling him 'nigger' 'black boy'; another officer pushed Mrs. Monroe; other hit kicked floor; ransacked every room, throwing clothing closets floor, dumping drawers, ripping mattress covers; then taken station detained 'open' ten hours, during time he interrogated murder exhibited lineups; brought before magistrate, although numerous magistrate's accessible; advised procedural rights; permitted call family attorney; subsequently released criminal having him.' 20—21. 4 week later, Time, weekly news magazine, carried report Commission's new publication. began: 'The paperback book has 307 pages simple title It last five volumes second Rights, first created Congress 1957. carries chilling text both South North—and stands grave indictment, since carefully investigated field agents signed all noted educators who comprise commission.' 6 There followed description, direct quotations, incidents described Justice, account incident: 7 'Shifting North, cites treatment Negro James family, awakened West Side apartment a.m. 13 officers, ostensibly investigating murder. police, says 'broke doors, flashlights *." 8 went quote length any way those made rather 9 libel Northern Illinois, being deversity citizenship. moved dismiss suit ground fair comment government therefore privileged Illinois law; motion, Seventh Circuit reversed. 318 652. After remand, 686, judgment. On appeal, again must 354 558. 10 trial, called participated raid. They testified resembling events occurred.** also extensive testimony staff member written 'researcher' responsible checking factual accuracy. itself, press release accompanying report, story describing He conceded knew meanings words 'complaint,' denid false, given full context report. she consulted newspaper articles claims raid, Pape's previous career. She said read dispatches correspondent, truth asserting fact actually occurred. aware article, believed have true written. verdict, 294 F.Supp. 1087, appealed third time. Court, 980. We certiorari order decide constitutional presented First Fourteenth Amendments. 397 1062, 90 1501, 25 683. 12 agreement virtue position Police Department, differed only application 'prohibits public official recovering damages defamatory falsehood relating conduct unless proves statement malice'—that is, knowledge not.' Id., 279—280, S.Ct., 726. us, therefore, correctly applied reversing defendant. Inquiries kind are familiar settled principle '(i)n cases claim denial Constitution, bound conclusions lower courts, will reexamine evidentiary founded.' Niemotko Maryland, 340 268, 271, 71 325, 327, 95 L.Ed. 267. Cf. Napue 360 264, 271—272, 79 1173, 1178 1179, 1217. And involving area tension between Amendments hand state defamation laws other, we frequently occasion review 'the evidence record could constitutionally support judgment' plaintiff. U.S., 284—285, 728; Beckley Newpapers Corp. Hanks, 389 81, 83, 88 197, 199, 19 248; St. Amant Thompson, 390 727, 1323, 20 262; Greenbelt Cooperative Publishing Ass'n Bresler, 398 6, 11, 1537, 1540, 26 6. 14 reported charge what was, literal terms, description action. situation differs number respects conventional case. First, publication episode, episode. Second, damage reputation arising mere publication, resulting attribution accusations authoritative source. Finally, good-faith error negligence. altered, sisted 15 concluded obvious 'allegation' equivalent Report. Since admittedly conscious deliberate, remaining court's view sense 'intent inflict harm falsehood.' Such intent, court thought, reasonably inferred very act deliberate omission, malice consequently jury. 16 Analysis may adequate when purports eyewitness speak themselves. For example, Amant, good separate Amant's corruption misbehavior believe true. But vast amount daily periodical descriptive somebody anybody did. Indeed, perhaps largest share concerning doings appears form accounts reports, speeches, conferences, like. 'truth' such indirect presents complicated problems. 17 someone underlying event value can contain almost infinite variety shadings. Where source makes bald assertions fact—such policeman arrested man charge—there difficulty. where engaged qualifying released, complexities ramify. Any departure quotation source, language, inevitably confronts set choices. 18 typical example these gave newsworthiness picture violence citizens. Many included quite clearly designed shock, anger, alarm reader, indeed move legislative recommendations Yet attitude toward verity episodes recounted anything straightforward. page purported dealing problem unquestionable reality seriousness: 'In 1931 President Hoover's Wickersham Committee found lawlessness, including unjustified violence. Sixteen years later Presidential Committee, appointed Truman, brutality, especially unpopular, weak, defenseless, distressing problem. now still serious throughout States.' 1. Two 21 particularly impressed most never resort brutal practices. Because fact, instances discrimination law enforcement out bold relief. hoped focusing attention President, Congress, incongruities, contribute correction.' 22 process began next chapter heading, large type: 'UNLAWFUL POLICE VIOLENCE.' crucial foundations ensuing based: 23 briefly describes brutality. belief they understanding misconduct supported convictions impartial agencies; others, sworn testimony, affidavits eye witnesses, investigations. determined conclusively complainants correct statements. function court. opinion, however, appeared substantial justify study.' 24 fairly characterized extravagantly ambiguous. hand, follow '11 brutality,' each 'contribute(s) problem,' 'substantial discussion' study. range sources described, nature inspire confidence reader. But, reader nonetheless told 'alleged facts,' 'allegations misconduct,' 'determined conclusively' 'correct'. suggestion conclusive determination capped confusion: impossible know seeking encourage skepticism regarding described. Turning page, confronted heading capitals, 'PATTERNS OF BRUTALITY,' descriptions various began. Each italicized (e.g., killing Georgia: 1943') giving sides using quotations. tone total neutrality falsity marred, remarks indicate unexpressed views. end 1958,' said, '(n)o local disciplinary action involved. authorities protective occurred within brief period *.' 11. incident bore title: 1958.' Unlike incidents, limited plaintiff's lawsuit, indicated outset opinion. No attempt give version story, ('The Cleveland: 1959') immediately after quotation. 27 'Conclusions,' forth recommendations. These State continuing many parts States. whites Negroes victims, victims far more, proportionately, group American society.' proposals grant-in-aid program improve quality forces passage federal statute outlawing illegal 109—112. series earlier recommendations, logically inevitable implication light totality cannot agree that, failed technically testified, substance, denied falsified omitted 'alleged.' researcher, stories reporter well career, even reason suppose took 29 possible bristled ambiguities. interpretation, though arguably reflecting Times. To go because like 'alleged,' despite external Report's overall meaning, much 30 premised recognition Madison put it, 'Some degree abuse inseparable proper use thing; instance press.' J. Elliott's Debates Constitution 571 (1876). With respect events, Times: 31 'A compelling critic guarantee assertions—and do so pain judgments virtually unlimited leads 'self-censorship.' Allowance defense truth, burden proving defendant, does mean speech deterred. Even accepting safeguard recognized difficulties adducing legal proofs particulars. Under rule, would-be crities deterred voicing criticism, true, doubt proved fear expense so.' 279, 725. 32 considerations apply greater force consists claimed misinterpretation gist lengthy document. ambiguous hard imagine test mercy unguided discretion 33 areas defamation, added tort individual zone protection caused maintains care avoid knowing thereby assurance occur lay open indeterminable financial liability. exist analysis adopted, once satisfied 'wrong,' 34 731, 1325, said: 35 'Our furnished meaningful guidance further definition satisfy show likelihood circulating information. Garrison Louisiana, 379 64, 85 209, 125 (1964) emphasized necessity showing 'high probable falsity.' 74, 216. measured prudent published, publishing. conclusion defendant entertained doubts shows demonstrates actual 36 Applying hardly acted truth. Given ambiguities whole, reflected held if freedoms expression 'breathing space' 'need survive" misstatements 271 272, 721. 37 add, final cautionary note. Nothing Our today based particular describe grounds perceiving 'a 'Neither lies nor communications serve ends Amendment, suggests desirability proliferation. insure ascertainment affairs, essential Amendment protect erroneous publications ones.' 732, 1326. 38 remanded proceedings consistent 39 ordered. 40 Judgment 41 HARLAN, dissenting. 42 I affirm Appeals, essentially reasons stated Judge Duffy's our prompts me venture additional comments. 43 fully enunciated 686 (1964), restricts utter falsehoods officials. 'erroneous free debate,' id., 721, 'neither content suffices remove shield criticism 273, 722. persuade us grants absolute immunity everyone, media anyone else, libels official, conclude usual processes inadequate litigation. Rather, interests implicated sort adequately served subjects sanctions common uttered 'with 280, 44 step today, whereby undertakes judge, 'on case.' ante, 292, find characterization sufficiently inaccurate concomitant 'malice,' my warranted. perceive distinguishing seeks upon properly instructed liability, exists, matters reviewed appeals applying standards. As see things, identifies feature 46 While course, re-examine bases rest decisions allegedly impair punish exercise freedoms, always, usually, compelled so. conceive how continue effectively resolve afresh disputes containing issues. Nor discern restrict States' powers regulate officials interest actual-malice substantially promoted utilizing ultimate arbiter unusual factors, harassment existence resting instructions, cf. present. am confident intend broad reach, done door prove difficult close. 47 Having below defined proof required passing judge's verdict—determinations think Brethren dispute—I stop inquiry point affirm, Appeals. ** January 1963, entered Monroe. awarded $8,000. satisfied.

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