The Economist has an analysis of the legal consequences of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's increasing attacks on the media. The magazine notes that he has said he would open up libel law to make it easier for public figures to sue for defamation. But The Economist notes that U.S. Supreme Court rulings, including New York Times v. Sullivan, have made the protection of the freedom of the press "strong and well entrenched."
However, Supreme Court Brief's Tony Mauro recently noted that there is a case pending before the Supreme Court which could test the New York Times v. Sullivan precedent. The court has not yet granted allocatur in Armstrong v. Thompson.
Lawyer and Legal Journalist
