Libel: Differing Rights

Even after the Senate censured him, Connecticut Democrat Thomas Dodd went ahead with plans to bring a libel suit against Columnists Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson. Most lawyers knew, however, that he had little chance of success in the wake of the Supreme Court's 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan decision, which makes it all but impossible for a public official to win libel suits unless he can prove malice by the defendant. Recognizing that fact, Dodd last week withdrew the libel action, though he continued to press suit against the newsmen for having conspired in the stealing of...

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