Supreme Court Rejects Challenges to Media Defamation Protections, but Clarence Thomas Pushes for Reconsideration
The US Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by former Massey Energy CEO Donald Blankenship to make it easier for public figures to sue for defamation, upholding longstanding protections for news organizations. Blankenship had filed a defamation lawsuit against media outlets including Fox News and MSNBC for characterizing him as a "felon" during his 2018 Senate run. The Supreme Court's unanimous 1964 ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan set strict limits on defamation claims by public officials, requiring proof of "actual malice." Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas agreed with the decision but expressed his view that the court should reconsider the precedent in an "appropriate case."