# Actual malice standard

Published 2026-09-22. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. 1 source.

The First Amendment standard from New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) requiring a public official or public figure suing for defamation to prove the defendant published a false statement knowing it was false or with reckless disregard for the truth.

## Sources

1. Paramount, President Trump reach $16 million settlement over '60 Minutes' lawsuit. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paramount-trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement/ (CBS News, 2025-07-01).

Source page: https://thewaronnews.com/glossary/actual-malice. The War On News, CC BY 4.0.