Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.
United States Supreme Court
477 U.S. 242 (1986)
- Written by Joseph Bowman, JD
Facts
Liberty Lobby, Inc. (Liberty Lobby) (plaintiff) filed a libel action against a magazine published by Anderson (defendant). The magazine published three articles that portrayed Liberty Lobby's founder as a neo-Nazi, anti-Semitic, fascist, and racist. Anderson, the publishing company, and the publishing company's president and CEO (defendants) put forth evidence tending to show that they made efforts to verify the information in the article. Liberty Lobby submitted evidence demonstrating that the articles were based on unreliable sources. Anderson moved for summary judgment, and the district court granted the motion. The appellate court held that Liberty Lobby need not demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that a jury could find Anderson acted with actual malice and was liable for libel. The appellate court affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment for Anderson as to some of the claims and reversed the grant of summary judgment as to other claims.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (White, J.)
Dissent (Rehnquist, J.)
Dissent (Brennan, J.)
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