Legal Document

475 U.S. 767 106 S.Ct. 1558 89 L.Ed.2d 783 PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS, INC., et al., Appellantsv.Maurice S. HEPPS al. No. 84-1491. Argued Dec. 3, 1985. Decided April 21, 1986. Syllabus Appellee Hepps is the principal stockholder of appellee corporation that franchises a chain stores selling beer, soft drinks, and snacks. Appellant owner published series articles in its Philadelphia newspaper whose general theme was Hepps, franchisor corporation, franchisees (also appellees) had links to organized crime used some those influence State's governmental processes. Appellees then brought defamation suit Pennsylvania state court against authors appellants) question. Concluding statute giving defendant burden proving truth allegedly defamatory statements violated Federal Constitution, trial instructed jury plaintiff bore falsity. The ruled for appellants therefore awarded no damages appellees. Supreme Court, concluding showing fault did not require falsity, held place on unconstitutionally inhibit free debate, remanded case new trial. Held: In such as this one, where publishes speech public concern about private figure, private-figure cannot recover without also at issue are false. Because scales an uncertain balance whether true or false, Constitution requires be tipped favor protecting speech. To ensure matters deterred, common-law presumption false stand. While Pennsylvania's "shield law," which allows employees media refuse divulge their sources, places heavier appellees, precise scope law unclear and, under these circumstances, it does appear different constitutional standard than would prevail absence law. Pp. 771-779. 506 Pa. 304, 485 A.2d 374, reversed remanded. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, POWELL, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion, joined, post, p. 779. STEVENS, dissenting BURGER, C.J., WHITE REHNQUIST, 780. David H. Marion, Philadelphia, Pa., appellants. Ronald Surkin, Justice O'CONNOR Court. 1 This us once more "struggl[e] . define proper accommodation between freedoms press protected by First Amendment." Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 323, 325, 94 2997, 3000, 41 789 (1974). Gertz, Court figure who brings publishing issue. Id., 347, S.Ct., 3010. Here, we hold that, least concern, 2 * Maurice General Programming, Inc. (GPI), stores—known relevant time "Thrifty" stores—selling Mr. GPI, number appellees here.1 Newspapers, owns Inquirer (Inquirer). articles, authored William Ecenbarger Lambert, containing here. five appeared May 1975 1976, processes, both legislative administrative. discussed legislator, described "a Pittsburgh Democrat convicted felon," App. A60, actions displayed clear pattern interference government [the legislator] behalf Thrifty," id., A62-A63. stories reported federal "investigators have found connections Thrifty underworld figures," A65; "the Beverage beer with crime," A80; "won competitive advantages through rulings State Liquor Control Board," A65. A grand said investigating "alleged relationship known Mafia "[w]hether received special treatment from [state Governor's] administration Board." A68. 3 court. Consistent supra, bear negligence malice 42 Pa.Cons.Stat. § 8344 (1982). As follows common law's individual's reputation good one. Statements defaming person presumptively although publisher bears has absolute defense. See 313-314, 379 (1984). 8343(b)(1) (1982) (defendant statement). Cf. U.S., 349, 3011 (common presumes injury publication statements). generally Eaton, American Law Defamation Through Beyond: An Analytical Primer, 61 Va.L.Rev. 1349, 1352-1357 (1975) (describing scheme law). 4 parties first raised proof falsity before trial, but reserved ruling matter. testified length were Tr. 2221-2290, he extensively cross-examined author veracity After all evidence been presented sides, concluded Constitution. 3589. plaintiffs 3848. 5 During took advantage law" occasions. That sources. 5942(a) ("No employed any circulation radio television station, magazine circulation, shall required disclose source information procured obtained person, legal proceeding, investigation unit"). 327, A.2d, 387 ("This interpreted broadly"). requested instruction stating could draw negative inference appellants' assertions shield law; inferences exercises privilege. judge declined give either instruction. 3806-3808. 6 Pursuant statute, 722(7) (1982), here appeal directly viewed simply requiring show defamation. It trial.2 318-329, 382-387. We noted probable jurisdiction, 472 1025, 105 3496, 87 628 (1985), now reverse. II 7 New York Times Co. Sullivan, 376 254, 84 710, 11 686 (1964), "determin[ed] extent protections limit power award libel action official critics his conduct." 256, 713. believed tended injure plaintiff's bring him into contempt, 267, 719, libelous per se, 262, 716. presume malice, damage reputation, long concerned plaintiff. Ibid. punitive "malice" "actual malice." 716, 719. made distinguish compensatory damages. Alabama upheld judgment respects. 263, 8 reversed, holding "libel can claim talismanic immunity limitations." 269, 720. Against "background profound national commitment principle debate issues should uninhibited, robust, wide-open, may well include vehement, caustic, sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks," "[a]uthoritative interpretations Amendment guarantees consistently refused recognize exception test truth—whether administered judges, juries, administrative officials—and especially one puts speaker." 270-271, 720-721. Freedoms expression " 'breathing space,' 272, 721 (quoting NAACP Button, 371 415, 433, 83 328, 338, 9 405 (1963)): "A rule compelling critic conduct guarantee factual assertions—and do so pain judgments virtually unlimited amount leads 'self-censorship.' Under rule, would-be deterred voicing criticism, even though fact true, because doubt proved fear expense having so." 279, 725. 10 "prohibits recovering falsehood relating unless proves statement 'actual malice' is, knowledge reckless disregard not." 279-280, 725-726. 12 must "convincing clarity," 285-286, 728-729, or, later formulation, "clear convincing proof," 342, 3008. standards apply only when sues newspaper, "public figure" news service. Curtis Publishing Butts, 388 130, 162-165, 1975, 1995-1997, 18 1094 (1967) (Warren, result); 170, 1999 (opinion Black, J.); 172, 2000 J.). Wolston Reader's Digest Assn., 443 157, 163-169, 99 2701, 2705-2708, 450 (1979). 13 decade after Times, examined limits suits defendants. supra. danger self-censorship valid, exclusive, defamation: "The need avoid ., societal value [or] embraced ago view publishers broadcasters enjoy unconditional indefeasible liability defamation." 341, 3007. Rosenblatt Baer, 383 75, 92, 86 669, 679, 15 597 (1966) (Stewart, concurring). Any analysis take account "legitimate interest underlying [in] compensation individuals harm inflicted them falsehood." Time, Firestone, 424 448, 456, 96 958, 966, 47 154 (1976) (discussing "appropriate public's uninhibited equally judicial redress utterances"). light interest, figures lesser access channels useful counteracting voluntarily placed themselves eye, 344-345, 3009-3010, "allows States impose broadcaster less demanding Times," 348, 3011: "[S]o they fault, appropriate injurious individual." Nonetheless, involved, requirement supersedes presumptions addition, expressly simple sufficed allow recovery actual damages, order presumed 348-350, 3011-3012. 14 most recently considered Dun & Bradstreet, Greenmoss Builders, 749, 2939, 593 (1985). contrast Bradstreet involved plaintiff, purely concern. 751-752, 2941. plurality convinced configuration needed unnecessary: "In reduced involving [in preserving reputation] adequately supports awards damages—even absent malice.' 761, 2946 J.) (footnote omitted). 16 ----, 2948 (BURGER, judgment); 764, (WHITE, judgment). 17 One discern decisions two forces reshape landscape conform Amendment. instead figure. second When clearly surmount much higher barrier still supplants law, requirements are, range, forbidding exclusively necessarily force change features landscape. Our opinions date chiefly treated necessary showings rather might expect given language see 772-773, public-figure Garrison Louisiana, 64, 74, 85 209, 215, 125 (1964) (reading proposition [is] allowed civil [defamation] remedy if establishes utterance false"). Herbert Lando, 441 153, 176, 1635, 1648, 60 115 (1979) ("[T]he focus editorial process prove attended degree culpability"). 19 superseded rule. believe falsity—that truth—must similarly fall 20 There will always instances factfinding unable resolve conclusively false; cases dispositive. forcing there meet despite fail abstract sense, meritorious. Similarly, alternative placing defendants, defendants true. Those succeed unmeritorious. then, outcome variance desire demonstrably 21 dilemma stems allocation determine unknowably deciding factor ambiguous, know how affected presenting like face here, balance, tip stand seeks 22 context restriction speech, established bearing justified. Consolidated Edison Public Service Comm'n N.Y., 447 530, 540, 100 2326, 2334, 65 319 (1980) (content-based restriction); National Bank Boston Bellotti, 435 765, 786, 98 1407, 1421, 55 707 (1978) (speaker-based Renton Playtime Theaters, 41, 47-54, 925, 928-932, 29 (1986) (secondary-effects restriction). Speiser Randall, 357 513, 78 1332, 1460 (1958) (striking down precondition taxpayer sign loyalty oath receiving certain tax benefits). immediately apparent text Amendment, terms applies action, similar result obtain here: party obviously quite government's direct enforcement own laws. encourage governmental-restriction manner damages: placement upon publish deters unjustifiably result. 725; Garrison, 215 ("Truth subject criminal sanctions discussion affairs concerned"). "chilling" effect antithetical Amendment's protection defendant. otherwise "only deterrence makes free." Speiser, 526, 1342. 23 insulate unprovably so. Court's previous restrictions firmly support our conclusion respect proof. attempting related context, affirmed "[t]he protect matters." Here concerns legitimacy political process, "matters." 758-759, 2945 (speech core protections). provide 338), willing liability, imposed additional See, e.g., 216; break ground insulating 24 note decision adds marginally burdens already earlier fault. likely accept contention practical matter, offered publisher's encompass asserted. Keeton, Freedom Press, 54 Texas L.Rev. 1221, 1236 (1976). Franklin Bussel, Plaintiff's Burden Defamation: Awareness Falsity, 25 Wm. Mary 825, 856-857 weightier "shield" 770-771.3 But question permissible reach Indeed, statute. instructions could, should, adverse defendant's use present affirmative truthfulness 771. addressed highest court, nor appealed Court.4 situation us, unconvinced 26 For reasons stated above, further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 27 ordered. 28 whom BLACKMUN joins, concurring. I official, individual, thus join Rosenbloom Metromedia, 403 29, 91 1811, 296 (1971). write separately while reserves announces nonmedia ante, 779, n. 4, adhere my distinction "irreconcilable fundamental '[t]he inherent worth capacity informing depend identity source, association, union, individual.' 781, 2957, (1985) (BRENNAN, dissenting) 777, 1416, (1978)). 30 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHITE, REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 31 resolves today make difference category cases—those individual libeled negligent. overcome 3010, (1974), regardless allocated. By definition, therefore, litigants—and publishers—who benefit today's act negligently maliciously. 32 acknowledging 'accommodat[e] Amendment,' 768 3000), decides override presumption" retained several States1 "defamatory false" "[t]o deterred." Ante, 776-777. agree precedents risk statement—uttered mind toward assassinating name careless indifference possibility—cannot proven attaching weight name, reached pernicious 33 preventing redressing injuries important. Stewart eloquently reminded concurrence 92-94, 679-680, (1966): 34 right man unjustified invasion wrongful hurt reflects basic concept essential dignity every human being—a root decent system ordered liberty. personality, life itself, left primarily Ninth Tenth Amendments. mean entitled recognition system. 35 36 ". Fourteenth Amendments stripped citizens means liars. destruction sure, often beyond redeem. Yet, imperfect hope vindication gives falsely dishonored. 37 "Moreover, preventive serves important purpose. rights values personality far transcend mere personal interests. Surely 1950's taught anything, poisonous atmosphere easy lie infect degrade whole society."2 38 deliberate inadvertent libels vilify personages, contribute little marketplace ideas. assaying side helps remember perpetrator suffers failure demonstrate accusation "private-figure" "fault," 3010—i.e., malice" sense ("with not," 725-726, (1964)), characteristic negligence. Far being totally dark "how false," 776, antecedent determination irresistible significant portion pale.3 observation almost tautologically regard met, come close willfully blinding itself utterance.4 albeit extent, defamations uttered "fault."5 Thus, nadir worse, society's "equally compelling" utterances zenith. 39 appreciate thrust holding, assume story malice"—that caring slightest not. comprehend full ramifications decision, knew impossible verify discredit other purpose destroy Even overwhelming malice—in term Sullivan—the seems character assassin license defame.6 40 deliberate, malicious assassination United target assailant provides truthful statements. understand, however, why defame neither verified disproved. reference unprovable facts merely speculative hypothetical Lack third parties, loss critical records, recollection events occurred ago, perhaps during period stress, eyewitnesses—a host factors honorable disprove gossip past conduct, relatives, friends, business associates. speak illustrated within confines very case. Appellants proclaiming "Federal authorities agents financial involvement [Joseph] Scalleat," "leader northeastern Pennsylvania," A72; A80.7 undisputed. Yet basis specific allegation contained based admitted party. depends party—a matter resolved proof.8 Despite obvious blueprint provided today, analytical approach—by strong reputation—provides wholly unwarranted gossip. understand counterintuitive derived straightforward syllogism. major premise concern," tantamount command exclude domain. minor "we unverifiable From premises burdening dissemination contravene Accordingly, defendant." 777. 43 plausible grossly undervalues reputations. error lies initial premise, mistaken belief regarding invariably individual. relies 777-778. Whether form legislation particular speakers points view, punishing seditious libel, doubtlessly correct minimum shoulder sufficient reliability confident suppressed. achieve incorporated then-emergent "privilege [good-faith] criticism 282, 727. 727, 21. "erroneous inevitable [because] space' 'need survive, N.A.A.C.P. 433 [83 (1963) ],' 271-272, 721-722, privilege defeasible "was malice'—that "Allowance defense truth, defendant," wanting "mean [would] deterred"—doubts "can so" good-faith 'steer wider unlawful zone,' 725 1342, (1958)).9 44 assuming attacks calculus disparages individual.10 case, overriding reliable room legitimate libel"—"the course, "less life." 46, 1821, (1971) persons "more vulnerable injury" deserving recovery"—more lack "access effective communication counteract statements"; "relinquished part [their] name[s]" "thrust[ing] forefront controversies resolution involved." 3009-3010. 45 Recognition "strong [state] compensating reputation," 348-349, 3011-3012, exposes untenability methodology: determined reputations figures" mind. latter plaintiffs, 46 erroneous verdict serious. Not mulct innocent misstatement possibility create impetus self-censorship, tolerate." 50, 1823 individuals, contrast, obtain." 343, categories involve "speech extension test" item "would abridge find unacceptable." 346, 3010.11 rejected plurality's assumption borne her status, touches "matters concern." 44, 1820. forecloses unacknowledged reliance discredited plurality; "requir[e] scales] speech" addresses 776. 345-346, 454-456, 965-966 (refusing "reinstate doctrine advanced guise inaccurate reporting controversies" proceedings). 48 little, any, victimized carry trades names coin it. 49 respectfully dissent. list nine entities Court: Hepps; Inc.; A. Fried, Brookhaven Distributors, Busy Bee Co.; ALMIK, Lackawanna Distributors; N.F.O., Elemar, Brief ii. courts since differing conclusions. Compare, Denny Mertz, Wis.2d 636, 654-658, 318 N.W.2d 141, 150-151 truth), cert. denied, 459 883, 103 179, 74 147 Memphis Nichols, 569 S.W.2d 412 (Tenn.1978) (same), Gazette, Harris, 229 Va. 1, 15-16, 325 S.E.2d 713, (plaintiff falsity), 473 905, 3513, 643 Madison Yunker, 180 Mont. 54, 67, 589 P.2d 126, 133 (same). alone choice. Ala.Code 12-21-142 (1977); Cal.Const., Art. I, 2(b); N.Y.Civ.Rights 79-h (McKinney 1976). occasion consider quantity Nor what defendant, Hutchinson Proxmire, 111, 133, 16, 2675, 2687, 411 (1979), opportunity declared rise Elliott Roach, 409 N.E.2d 661, 681 (Ind.App.1980); Trahan Ritterman, 368 So.2d 181, 184 (La.App.1979); Parsons Gulf South S.S. Co., 194 460 (La.App.), 389 896, 88 213 (1967); 61, 129-130 (1978); Rogozinski Airstream Angell, 152 N.J.Super. 146-147, 377 807, 814 (1977), modified, 164 465, 397 334 (1979); Martin Griffin Television, 549 85, 87, (Okla.1976); Corabi 432, 447-451, 468, 273 899, 907-909, 917 (1971); 412, 420 (Tenn.1978); Frank B. Hall Buck, 678 612, 623-625 (Tex.App.1984), 1009, 2704, 720 (1985); 654-655, 150, "There historical one's thousand years ago; Anglo-Saxon history became legally comparatively soon bodily integrity protection." L. Eldridge, 53, pp. 293-294 (1978). 757-758, 2944, 767-769, 2949-2950 793, 2963, certainly notions dignity"); 3007, "But fact. Neither intentional materially advances 'uninhibited, wide-open' issues. [254,] 270 [84 720, ]. They belong 'are exposition ideas, slight social step outweighed morality.' Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 572, 62 766, 769, L.Ed. 1031 (1942)." 340, cf. 19, 725, 19. "Our cases, furnished meaningful guidance definition publication. satisfy record failed aware likelihood circulating information. emphasized necessity 'high awareness falsity.' 216. Harlan's 1990, (1967), falsification 'despite falsity' officials actions. These measured reasonably prudent published, investigated publishing. permit entertained serious doubts shows demonstrates St. Amant Thompson, 390 731, 1323, 1325, 262 (1968). concurring) ("What ultimately protects falsehood"). presumably reason believes "decision 778. ibid. ("As asserted." (citations omitted)). Although am inclined preceding observation, today. inconsequential many answer determinative. infra, 785-787. Moreover, belief, however sincere, significantly impair justify 3011. prevent confusion. W. D. Dobbs, R. Owen, Prosser Keeton Torts 116, 839-840 (5th ed. 1984) ("[T]here inconsistency until recklessness imputation"). 13, 385, (1984) ("In circuitous argument, [appellants] contend inextricably bound up [Appellants] assert elect establish patent material due care ascertaining follow shown gathered, instance elects thereby liability. Where not, cases. demonstration material, obligation material"). gain immeasurable strength suggestion commentators camp nonfalsifiable nature entitle summary judgment. 865 ("If susceptible example, deny discovery dismiss complaint"). challenged publications connected crime. false." 36. At denied Joseph Scalleat's employment Beer Sales Consultants BSC's three stores. Testimony 2185-2186, 2200. Sullivan subsequently extended figures." 164, 1996, result). If properly disproving accusations malice," term. contrary remarks persuade me ascertained test. 3008 ("Plainly including intentionally subjected injury, test").

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