Supreme Court Refuses to Revisit Landmark Defamation Standard

The U.S. Supreme Court declined an appeal by Steve Wynn to revisit the 'actual malice' standard for defamation established in New York Times v. Sullivan. Wynn's lawsuit accused the Associated Press of defamation regarding sexual assault allegations. The court's decision maintains the protections for free speech against libel claims.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear casino magnate Steve Wynn's appeal seeking to roll back defamation protections from the landmark 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan ruling.

This decision emerged from Wynn's defamation lawsuit against the Associated Press over allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1970s.

The high court's move keeps intact the 'actual malice' standard, a significant First Amendment protection that requires public figures to prove defamatory statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard for the truth.

(With inputs from agencies.)