Press Freedom Case Threatened by Lawyer's Petition to Supreme Court
Feb 19, 2026, 7:01 PM
en
TL;DR
Alan Dershowitz, involved in creating New York Times v. Sullivan, is now asking the Supreme Court to reconsider it, claiming it no longer aligns with modern media. The case involves his libel suit against CNN, where he argues the Sullivan decision hindered him from winning.
Alan Dershowitz, a key figure in New York Times v. Sullivan, is now challenging the Supreme Court to reconsider or invalidate the landmark decision safeguarding press freedom. Dershowitz argues that the principles upheld in Sullivan no longer reflect the current media landscape. His petition stems from a libel suit against CNN, where he claims the Sullivan ruling unfairly disadvantaged him in proving defamation. Despite complex legal nuances, Dershowitz's stance underscores the ongoing debate over the balance between press freedom and individual reputation protection.