Document: 443 U.S. 157 99 S.Ct. 2701 61 L.Ed.2d 450 Ilya WOLSTON, Petitioner,v.READER'S DIGEST ASSOCIATION, INC., et al. No. 78-5414. Argued April 17, 1979. Decided June 26, Syllabus As a result of grand jury investigation, during 1957 and 1958, Soviet intelligence agents in the United States, petitioner's aunt uncle were arrested on, later pleaded guilty to, espionage charges. In ensuing months, petitioner, pursuant to subpoenas, traveled from his home District Columbia New York City, where was sitting, but on one occasion he failed respond subpoena, having previously attempted unsuccessfully persuade law enforcement authorities not require him travel because mental condition. A Federal Judge then issued an order show cause why petitioner should be adjudged criminal contempt court. Petitioner appeared court return date this offered testify before offer refused, thereafter charge when pregnant wife became hysterical upon being called as received suspended sentence. These events reported number stories Washington newspapers, publicity subsided following sentencing succeeded for most part returning private life had led prior such events. 1974, respondent Reader's Digest Association published book written by Barron, which describes Union's organization chronicles its activities since World War II. The other publishers. passage book, is named "[a]mong identified States" "convicted . charges indictments," index lists "Soviet agent U. S." sued respondents, claiming that above passages false defamatory. Court granted respondents' motion summary judgment, holding "public figure" because, failing appear subjecting himself citation contempt, "became involved controversy decidedly public nature way invited attention comment, thereby created interest knowing about connection with espionage"; First Amendment therefore precluded recovery unless proved respondents defamatory falsehood "actual malice"; evidence raised no genuine issue respect existence malice." Appeals affirmed. Held : figure within meaning Court's defamation cases required meet malice" standard Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 254, 84 710, 11 686, recover respondents. Pp. 163-169. (a) Contrary argument lower court's holdings, does fall category those figures who have "thrust themselves forefront particular controversies influence resolution issues involved," Gertz Robert Welch, Inc., 418 323, 345, 94 2997, 3009, 41 789. Neither mere fact voluntarily chose jury, might attended publicity, nor simple failure attracted media attention, rendered figure. His calculated draw invite comment or any issue, rather appears simply been poor health. And there intended have, did effect concern. 165-168. (b) person engages conduct automatically become purposes limited range relating conviction. Time, Inc. Firestone, 424 448, 96 958, 47 154. To hold otherwise would create "open season" all sought defame persons convicted crime. 168-168. 188 U.S.App.D.C. 185, 578 F.2d 427, reversed. Sidney Dickstein, Washington, D. C., petitioner. John J. Buckley, Jr., Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 Association, entitled KGB, Secret Work Agents (KGB), Barron.1 referring disclosures "royal commissions Canada Australia, official investigations Great Britain States," contains statements Wolston: 2 "Among States Elizabeth T. Bentley, Edward Joseph Fitzgerald, William Ludwig Ullmann, Walter Remington, Franklin Victor Reno, Judith Coplon, Harry Gold, David Greenglass, Julius Ethel Rosenberg, Morton Sobell, Perl, Alfred Dean Slack, Jack Soble, Wolston, Martha Stern.* 3 "*No claim made list complete. It consists falsifying information perjury and/or indictments, fled bloc avoid prosecution. " App. 28 (emphasis supplied). 4 addition, KGB follows: "Wolston, Ilya, U.S." Id., at 29. 5 author publishers Columbia, stating indicted judgment. 429 F.Supp. 167 (1977). held 'actual malice'—that is, knowledge it reckless disregard whether not," 280, 726, 686 (1964). F.Supp., 172, 176. While agreed above-quoted portions state falsely espionage, ruled, basis affidavits deposition testimony, 180-181. Circuit 427 (1978).2 We certiorari, 439 1066, 832, 59 31 (1979), we now reverse. wrong concluding cases. supra, respondents.3 6 During special federal sitting City conducted major investigation into States. uncle, Myra January spying. Sobles charges, jury's focused participants suspected ring, resulting further arrests, convictions, pleas. On same day arrested, interviewed Bureau Investigation Columbia.4 several more times months both various occasions subpoenas. 7 July 1, however, subpoena directing date. interrogation depression. 91 (affidavit 15, 1976).5 14, immediately news media, 15 16, least seven focusing newspapers. 8 show-cause refused. hearing commenced Petitioner's wife, pregnant, condition time after she witness stand, plead charge. See 92 1976). He 1-year sentence placed probation three years, conditioned cooperation inquiries regarding espionage. Ibid. Newspapers also details proceedings plea sentencing. all, 6-week period between sentencing, newspapers mentioned discussed these This flurry and, thereafter, issuance subpoena. 174.6 At 9 U.S., 279-280, S.Ct., 275-276, Fourteenth Amendments prohibit recovering damages absent proof statement malice," term defined opinion. St. Amant Thompson, 390 727, 731, 88 1323, 1325, 20 262 (1968). Three years later, extended figures." Curtis Publishing Butts, 388 130, 162, 87 1975, 1995, 18 1094 (1967) (Warren, C.J., concurring result). But 344-347, 3009-3010, 789 (1974), declined expand protection afforded actions brought individuals. explained rationale extending rule two-fold. First, recognized are less vulnerable injury their ability resort effective "self-help." They usually enjoy significantly greater access than individuals channels communication, enable them through discussion counter criticism expose fallacies statements. 344, 3009; see 155, 1991 (plurality opinion); id., 164, 1996 C. J., Second, importantly, normative consideration deserving figures, like officials, "voluntarily exposed increased risk concerning them." 3010; two ways may Amendment: 10 "For attain status assumed roles especial prominence affairs society. Some occupy positions persuasive power they deemed purposes. More commonly, classed thrust involved." 3009. 351, 3012; 453, 964, 154 (1976). 12 courts relied occupied position "persuasive influence" could small group thoroughly inquiry returned relative obscurity achieved general fame notoriety role society involvement 1958. 964; 352, 3012. 13 Instead, argue, held, falls second involved"—and that, therefore, purpose with, in, 1940's 1950's. U.S.App.D.C., 189, F.2d, 431; 174-178. Both found determinative public-figure issue. concluded ." 177 n. 33. Similarly, stated refusing comply "stepped center front spotlight short, voluntary action questions espionage." 431. 14 do agree can limited-purpose figure.7 undisputed facts justify conclusion thrust" "injected" surrounding States.8 453-454, 964-965; 3013; opinion). accurate say dragged unwillingly controversy. Government pursued investigation. fail failure, well subsequent attract attention. decisive question status. Gertz, attorney even though associated case certain receive extensive exposure. 3013. emphasized must focus "nature extent individual's participation giving rise defamation." took prosecution, never litigation press, civil solely representation client. matter press necessary defend against clear played only minor whatever decline doubt "newsworthy," conclusive individual transformed just becoming attracts accept reasoning re-establish doctrine advanced plurality Rosenbloom Metromedia, 403 29, 44, 1811, 29 296 (1971), extend falsehoods if matters repudiated proposition reject again today. libel defendant newsworthiness application demanding burden Times. 454, 965. 16 Nor think engaged attempt involved. "special questions." seek arouse sentiment favor Thus, invites use fulcrum methods used contrary, 33; 91-92 promptly communicated desire rejected, passively accepted punishment. There find whatsoever relinquished, degree, own name. 17 leads us contention becomes Brief Respondents 24; Tr. Oral Arg. 17. similar 457, 966-67, said: "[W]hile some legitimate 'public figures,' either generally litigation, majority will likely resemble respondent, drawn forum largely obtain redress available State others. little reason substantially forfeit degree afford virtue courtroom. reports judicial protected Cox Broadcasting [v. Cohn, 420 469, 95 1029, 43 328 (1975)]. inaccurate facts, , provides adequate safeguard constitutionally interests affords tolerable margin error requiring type fault." 19 observations remain sound, control disposition case. Accordingly, judgment 21 Reversed. 22 BLACKMUN, whom MARSHALL joins, result. 23 I reaches prospective enter "in ante, 168, act manner purposefully here. seems hold, words, limited-issue literally figuratively "mounts rostrum" advocate view. 24 need adopt so restrictive definition us. Assuming, arguendo, gained clearly lost distinction 1974. Because believe lapse intervening renders original unnecessary, concur result.* 25 injects controversy." Such person, reasoned, resembles typically enjoys "significantly communication" knowingly "runs closer scrutiny" true remained life. time, believe, often relevant deciding possesses characteristics. controversial event libelous utterance diminish defamed party's means counterargument. height here, sufficient effectively rebut spy. strain credulity suggest commanded "risk putative fairly said assumed. ignoring anticipated critical commentary press. Following citation, "succeeded life." Ante, 163. Any inference "assumed risk" scrutiny 1958 assuredly negated conscious efforts regain anonymity succeeding years. 26 analysis implies, course, contemporaneous reporting event, yet historical occurrence. Historians, consequently, run liability defamation. Yet result, my view, violence values. vital marketplace ideas current events, historians work under different conditions counterparts. reproter trying deadline totally impossible check accuracy sources. historian writing sub specie aeternitatis has reflection opportunity investigate veracity pronouncements makes. 27 For reasons, conclude reference erase attributes once possessed. decide difficult BRENNAN, dissenting. dissent. Court, 167, 176 (1977), affirmed Appeals, 431 (1978), qualified "as '50's." 178, 431, That follows, reasons ibid., 431: "The Wolston's operation continues topic debate today, concerns security decisive." 30 disagree, Barron view respecting actual malice part. reverse remand trial Bantam Books, MacMillan Book Clubs, Book-of-the-Month Club, contractual arrangements Digest. rested decisions Constitution. commented footnote "might decided apply actual-malice ground requires it." 178-179, n.37. referred unpublished decision Superior support proposition. Hatter Evening Star Newspaper Co., Civ. 8298-75 (Mar. 1975). cast substantial correctness comment. 193, n.3, 435 3. described "a brief recited grounds granting judgment" cited authority, noted decision, another judge "filed elaborate contrary newspaper liable suffered negligently publishes defamation, without 193 citing Phillips 9999-75 (June 30, 1977). assume familiar principle dispositive statutory local treated reaching constitutional issues. E. g., Dillard Virginia Industrial Comm'n, 416 783, 785, 2028, 2030, 40 540 (1974); Alma Motor Timken-Detroit Axle 329 129, 136, 67 231, 233, L.Ed. 128 (1946); Siler Louisville & Nashville R. 213 175, 451, 455, 53 753 (1909). interpret Appeals' case, jurisdiction based diversity citizenship, indicate represents expression dicta appeal question. Commissioner Estate Bosch, 387 456, 465, 1776, 1782, 886 (1967); King Order Travelers, 333 153, 68 488, 493, 608 (1948); West American Tel. 311 223, 236-237 (1940); Bonner, 66 App.D.C. 86 836 (1936); Johnson Pub. 271 A.2d 696 (D.C.App.1970); Chaloner Post 36 231 (1911). challenges propriety 21-31. our reach Hutchinson Proxmire, 111, 120 n.9, 2675, 2680 411. "Wolston born Russia 1918. subsequently lived Lithuania, Germany, France, England coming 1939. army drafted 1942, tour duty naturalized citizen; trained interpreter served primarily Alaska. After receiving honorable discharge 1946 worked Military Department Allied-occupied Berlin. 1951 clerk until 1953, enrolled undergraduate program University. 1955 moved Army Map Service free-lance translator 1957. Deposition Wolston 5-42." 169 1. Since construe record favorably Bishop Wood, 426 341, 347 11, 2074, 2079, 48 684 (1976); Diebold, 369 654, 655, 82 993, 994, (1962). short publications. My Ten Years Counterspy, Boris Morros 1959, Morros, former confederate Soble double agent, states agent. 30-34. 1960, report prepared Investigation, Expose Espionage May listed name among people "the FBI resulted identifying agents." Sen. Doc. 114, 86th Cong., 2d Sess., 24, 26-27 (1960). 176-177. argued below figure, restored Amendment. rejected argument. 178. abandoned Reply 5-6, 8; 10. lose time. determine precision controversy" alleged himself. Certainly, desirability permitting States; responsible citizens understandably opposed it. urge, apparently agreed, officials investigating prosecuting agents. 26-27; 27-29. accept, characterization fails criteria established * notes, 166 7, oral here disclaimed status, electing place eggs expansive basket forms framework proffered expressly considered 178 (1977); (1978). Under circumstances, tactical foreclose "passage time" ratio decidendi. Indeed, makes related determining amounted 10-12.

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