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Dershowitz Seeks Supreme Court Reversal of Defamation Standard

2/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Alan Dershowitz's attorneys urge the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a 62-year-old ruling in a defamation lawsuit against CNN.
The case challenges the actual malice standard established in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.
A lower court ruled in CNN's favor, citing the Sullivan standard as the barrier for Dershowitz.
The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to hear the case.

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Story summary

Alan Dershowitz's attorneys urge the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a 62-year-old ruling in a defamation lawsuit against CNN.
The case challenges the actual malice standard established in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.
A lower court ruled in CNN's favor, citing the Sullivan standard as the barrier for Dershowitz.
The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to hear the case.