Court Opinion

ID: 9807687
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 20:12:57.102437+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:51:17.394771
License: Public Domain

Douglas, J.,
concurring in result. While concurring in the result I feel constrained to say that in my opinion the so-call “Libel Act” is unconstitutional, inasmuch as it discriminates between the editor of a newspaper and the ordinary citizen. If I write a letter libelling an editor, that perhaps at most ten people may see, and he libels me by printing identical charges against me that ten thousand, people may see, I am subject to pains and penalties from which he is exempted by operation of the statute. Whatever other merits the act may have, I do not think that such discrimination can be sustained under the explicit provision of our Constitution. It is, however, due to the Court to say that its opinion eliminates from the act its most dangerous features.
Walker, J., concurs in result only.
CONNOR, J., did not sit on the hearing of this case.