Legal Document

501 U.S. 663 111 S.Ct. 2513 115 L.Ed.2d 586 Dan COHEN, Petitionerv.COWLES MEDIA COMPANY, dba Minneapolis Star and Tribune Company, et al. No. 90-634. Argued March 27, 1991. Decided June 24, Syllabus During the 1982 Minnesota gubernatorial race, petitioner Cohen, who was associated with one party's campaign, gave court records concerning another candidate for Lieutenant Governor to respondent publishers' newspapers after receiving a promise of confidentiality from their reporters. Nonetheless, papers identified him in stories, he fired his job. He filed suit against respondents state court, alleging, among other things, breach contract. The rejected respondents' argument that First Amendment barred suit, jury awarded him, inter alia, compensatory damages. State Court Appeals affirmed, but Supreme reversed, holding contract cause action inappropriate. It then went on address question whether Cohen could recover under law promissory estoppel theory even though issue never tried jury, nor briefed argued by parties, concluding enforcement such would violate rights. Held: 1. This has jurisdiction. Respondents' contention case should be dismissed because not or presented courts below Court's decision rests entirely state-law interpretation is rejected. irrelevant this jurisdiction party raised federal-law supreme actually considered decided. Orr v. Orr, 440 268, 274-275, 99 1102, 1109, 59 306. Moreover, made clear its rested federal law, have defended all along arguing reporters' promises. Pp. 667-668. 2. does bar respondents. Such action, although private, involves within meaning Fourteenth therefore triggers Amendment's protections, since doctrine creating legal obligations explicitly assumed parties are enforceable through courts' official power. Cf., e.g., New York Times Co. Sullivan, 376 254, 265, 84 710, 718, 11 686. However, general applicability target single out press, rather applicable citizens' daily transactions. Thus, require press subject stricter scrutiny than applied others, cf. Associated Press NLRB, 301 103, 132-133, 57 650, 655-656, 81 L.Ed. 953, if payment characterized as Nor grant protection any which fashion degree limits restricts right report truthful information. Florida B.J.F., 491 524, 109 2603, 105 443, distinguished. sought damages caused lose job lowered earning capacity, did attempt use avoid strict requirements establishing libel defamation claim. Hustler Magazine, Inc. Falwell, 485 46, 108 876, 41, Any resulting inhibition reporting no more incidental, constitutionally insignificant, consequence applying generally requiring them keep certain 668-672. 3. Cohen's request award reinstated issues verdict upheld ground claim had been established Constitution may construed shield an matters resolve first instance. P. 672. 457 N.W.2d 199, reversed remanded. WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., STEVENS, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, dissenting opinion, MARSHALL SOUTER, MARSHALL, O'CONNOR, Elliot C. Rothenberg, Minneapolis, Minn., petitioner. John D. French, Justice WHITE Court. 1 before us prohibits plaintiff recovering damages, newspaper's given exchange We hold it not. 2 closing days active Republican Wheelock Whitney's Independent-Republican approached reporters St. Paul Pioneer Dispatch (Pioneer Press) (Star Tribune) offered provide documents relating upcoming election. information only confidentiality. Reporters both promised identity anonymous turned over copies two public Marlene Johnson, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Governor. record indicated Johnson charged 1969 three counts unlawful assembly, second she convicted 1970 petit theft. Both interviewed her explanation reporter tracked down person found Cohen. As out, assembly charges arose Johnson's participation protest alleged failure hire minority workers municipal construction projects were eventually dismissed. theft conviction leaving store without paying $6.00 worth sewing materials. incident apparently occurred at time during emotionally distraught, later vacated. 3 After consultation debate, editorial staffs independently decided publish name part stories Johnson. In source records, connection Whitney included denials campaign officials role matter. same day appeared, employer. 4 sued respondents, publishers Tribune, alleging fraudulent misrepresentation trial lawsuit. A returned favor, awarding $200,000 $500,000 punitive Appeals, split decision, failed establish fraud claim, support award. 445 248, 260 (Minn.App.1989). finding liability damage Id., 262. 5 divided 199 (Minn.1990). affirming Appeals' determination misrepresentation, concluded "a inappropriate these particular circumstances." 203. theory. Apparently, parties; oral when justices asked about equitable estoppel. See App. 38. 6 addressing question, most problematic element here injustice avoided enforcing stated "[u]nder analysis there can neutrality towards Amendment. deciding unjust enforce promise, must necessarily weigh considerations weighed violated. balance constitutional rights free common interest protecting anonymity." N.W.2d, 205. brief discussion, "in defendants' rights." Ibid. 7 granted certiorari consider implications case. 498 ----, 578, 112 583 (1990). 8 Respondents initially contend dismiss reaching merits law. These contentions do merit extended discussion. 306 (1979); Dun & Bradstreet, Greenmoss Builders, Inc., 472 749, 754, n. 2, 2939, 2942, 86 593 (1985); Mills Maryland, 486 367, 371, 3, 1860, 1863, 100 384 (1988); Franks Delaware, 438 154, 161-162, 98 2674, 2679-2680, 667 (1978); Jenkins Georgia, 418 153, 157, 94 2750, 2753, 41 642 (1974). conclusion hardly said present promises proceed bars 9 initial we face private "state action" protections triggered. For not, bearing rationale our 686 (1964), subsequent cases compels here. Our teach application rules manner restrict freedoms constitutes See, id., S.Ct., 718; NAACP Claiborne Hardware Co., 458 886, 916, 51, 102 3409, 3427, 73 1215 (1982); Philadelphia Newspapers, Hepps, 475 767, 777, 106 1558, 1564, 89 783 (1986). case, held estoppel, which, absence contract, creates parties. enforced power courts. Under cases, enough constitute purposes 10 rely proposition "if newspaper lawfully obtains matter significance punish publication information, absent need further highest order." Smith Daily Mail Publishing 443 97, 2667, 2671, 61 399 (1979). That unexceptionable, various insufficient asserted interests preventing truthful, obtained (1989); Mail, supra; Landmark Communications, Virginia, 435 829, 1535, 56 (1978). however, controlled line equally well-established decisions laws offend simply incidental effects ability gather news. relied recognize, published acquired. impunity break enter office dwelling Neither relieve obligation shared citizens respond grand subpoena answer questions relevant criminal investigation, might required reveal confidential source. Branzburg Hayes, 408 665, 92 2646, 33 626 (1972). like others interested publishing, copyrighted material obeying copyright laws. Zacchini Scripps-Howard Broadcasting 433 562, 576-579, 97 2849, 2857-2859, 53 965 (1977). Similarly, media obey National Labor Relations Act, 953 (1937), Fair Standards Oklahoma Walling, 327 186, 192-193, 66 494, 497, 90 614 (1946); restrain trade violation antitrust laws, United States, 326 1, 65 1416, 2013 (1945); Citizen 394 131, 139, 927, 931, 22 148 (1969); pay non-discriminatory taxes. Murdock Pennsylvania, 319 105, 112, 63 870, 874, 87 1292 (1943); Commissioner Revenue, 460 575, 581-583, 103 1365, 1369-1371, 75 295 (1983). [670] 12 Cf. University Pennsylvania EEOC, 493 182, 201-202, 110 577, 107 571 beyond dispute "[t]he publisher special immunity privilege invade liberties others." supra, U.S., 655-656. Accordingly, persons organizations. 13 There little doubt applicability. press. Rather, so far advised, transactions Minnesota. forbid 14 BLACKMUN suggests will "punish" publishing obtained. Post, ----. strictly accurate form punishment, sanctions Smith. If between contained liquidated provision, perfectly represent cost acquiring newsworthy profit, punishment imposed State. indistinguishable generous bonus paid news event, above, characterization makes difference being BLACKMUN's reliance misplaced. those itself defined content publications trigger liability. Here, contrast, requires making them. themselves, determine scope restrictions placed self-imposed. 15 Also, "lawfully" least it. Unlike situation Star, where rape victim's lawful access police report, they honor. opinions suggest including example, press' limitless protection. 16 attempting observed here, "Cohen sue disclosed [his name] true." 202. seeking injury reputation mind. excess $50,000 capacity. Thus (1988), standards apply parody tort intentional infliction emotional distress. 17 amici argue permitting maintain inhibit organizations incentives disclose source's person's newsworthy. SOUTER similar argument. But make kinds Although conclude confer disregard otherwise reject reversing judgment reinstate Brief Petitioner 31. incorrect well truncated consideration basis. Or perhaps one. instance remand. remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. 18 So ordered. 19 whom join, dissenting. 20 I agree grounds judicial petitioner's agree, penalize regarding political dissent. 21 majority concludes (1979), effect obtained, "absent 2671. Instead, told, controlling precedent "the news." Ante, 669. (1972); 497-498, Comm'r disagree. read create exception members my view, court's premised, speaker, speech itself. "critical significance," anonymity arises classic context quintessential debate democratic society, namely, involved campaign." 205 (1990); see also 204, ("New . holds adopt rule impose impermissible press"). Necessarily, afforded available non-media defendants. Lovell Griffin, 303 444, 452, 58 666, 669, 82 949 (1938) ("The liberty confined periodicals. historic connotation comprehends every sort affords vehicle opinion"). majority's admonition " '[t]he laws,' ante, 670, principle, 23 Branzburg, significant "these involve intrusions upon restriction what publish, express implied command prefers withhold. [N]o penalty, civil criminal, related here." 681, 2657. Indeed, sole us" subpoenas investigation into commission crime." 682, 133, 656, (1937); 20, 18, 1425, (1969). short, imposition based speech.1 24 Contrary majority, regard precisely point. There, distress satirical critique violated Virginia's applicability" unrelated suppression speech.2 unanimous that, used expression strictures concluded, 56, 882, "public figures reason showing addition contains false statement fact 'actual malice,' (1964). doing, sufficient remove "patently offensive" 50, 879.3 25 Hustler, operation Minnesota's cannot merely "incidental" burden speech; important claimed violation. opinion.4 instant undisputed true. 26 To extent ever sanctioned consistent Amendment, furtherance "of Smith, Because State's compelling, 204-205, affirm decision. 27 respectfully 28 O'CONNOR 29 fall authority commercial activities relationships, publication, issue. 674. Even entail speech, course constitutional, only, Harlan observed, 30 "when [such effects] justified subordinating valid governmental interests, prerequisite constitutionality weighing involved. Whenever, context, exercise powers reconciliation effected, perforce appropriate respective involved." Konigsberg Bar California, 366 36, 997, 1007, (1961). 31 "[t]here nothing talismanic neutral applicability," Employment Division, Dept. Human Resources Oregon 494 1595, 1612, 876 (1990) (O'CONNOR, concurring judgment), just effectively directed specifically believe dispositive, find necessary articulate, measure, compare competing legitimacy burdening recent practice cases. 32 accept position dispense balancing sense "self-imposed" voluntary 671. possibility waiver, met see, Curtis Butts, 388 130, 145, 1975, 1986, 1094 (1967), conception speaker alone, value measured reference importance discourse. freedom ultimately founded enhancing discourse sake citizenry better informed thus prudently self-governed. "[T]he goes self-expression individuals prohibit government limiting stock draw." Bank Boston Bellotti, 765, 783, 1407, 1419, 55 707 '[i]t [public], [media], paramount,' CBS, FCC, 453 395, 101 2813, 2829, 69 706 (1981) (emphasis omitted) (quoting Red Lion 395 390, 1794, 1806, 371 (1969)), "[w]ithout provided many representatives unable vote intelligently register administration generally." Cox Corp. Cohn, 420 469, 492, 95 1029, 1044, 43 328 (1975); Richmond 448 555, 573, 2814, 2825, 973 (1980); 278-279, 725, integral struck expanded universe choice faced voters election, quintessentially Eu San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee, 489 214, 223, 1013, 1020, 271 (1989). propriety leak taken reflect character, turn character retained adviser. An election factor; should, am ready assume greater good, long run. 34 say give rise One conceive situations injured individual, whose less concern petitioner; prohibited. mean imply circumstances acquisition balance, 534-535, 8, 2610, (1989), go balances against, diminish, piece 35 outweigh unfettered revealed arguable Zacchini, performer organization appropriation "right publicity performance," 565, 2852, broadcast entirety act local television. suit. clear, extend event interest. explained reported performing fair described commented act, picture television, very different case." 569, 2854. employed dissemination Virginia recovery demonstrate "that defendant's conduct (1) reckless; (2) offends accepted decency morality; (3) causally connected plaintiff's distress; (4) severe." 879, attempts distinguish mind whereas "for capacity." perceive meaningful distinction statute penalizes order protect individual's psychological reputational interest, exacts penalty compensate loss employment potential. Certainly, recognized distinction. argues unlike word. 670. While true, protected "punishment" purposes. Pittsburgh Comm'n Relations, 413 376, 386, 93 2553, 2559, 37 669 (1973) ("In libelous advertisement actual malice publishes falsely defamatory advertisement") added), citing 279-280, 725-726, (1964); Gertz Robert Welch, 323, 340, 2997, 3007, 789 (1974) ("[P]unishment error runs risk inducing cautious restrictive guaranteed press") added). Times, 297, 735 (Black, concurring) ("To discuss affairs judgments abridge shut off discussion kind needed") Though civil, review justifiable material," permissible disseminating material.

Classification Label: 2