The Enduring Significance of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan 

<p>This essay explores the history of the landmark libel and First Amendment case from 1964, <i>New York Times v. Sullivan</i>. The story of <i>Sullivan</i>&nbsp;is a powerful illustration of the unique functions that the press fulfills in American democracy and the importance of <i>Sullivan</i>’s protections of those functions. Arising out of the civil rights movement, the history of <i>Sullivan</i> also shows how a free press can serve as a voice for underrepresented groups and shine light on matters of importance that might otherwise go unseen. History demonstrates the high stakes of losing the protections that are recognized in <i>Sullivan</i>. If <i>New York Times v. Sullivan</i>&nbsp;and related cases are overruled, libel suits could again become weapons of blatant political suppression, as they were in the pre-<i>Sullivan</i>&nbsp;era.</p>