In Sullivan's Shadow: The Use and Abuse of Libel Law during the Long Civil Rights Struggle

The far right has used libel law to stifle free speech and silence African American dissent, as demonstrated by Sullivan's Shadow. Aimee Edmondson's book illuminates a series of cases that preceded and followed the 1964 Supreme Court ruling, showcasing the bravery of activists, journalists, and publishers.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 312 pages
\n Publication date: 30 August 2019
\n Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press
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For many years, the far right has sown public distrust in the media as a political strategy, weaponizing libel law in an effort to stifle free speech and silence African American dissent. In Sullivan's Shadow, Aimee Edmondson demonstrates that this strategy was pursued throughout the civil rights era and beyond, as southern officials continued to bring lawsuits in their attempts to intimidate journalists who published accounts of police brutality against protestors. Taking the Supreme Court's famous 1964 case, New York Times v. Sullivan, as her starting point, Edmondson illuminates a series of fascinating and often astounding cases that preceded and followed this historic ruling. Drawing on archival research and scholarship in journalism, legal history, and African American studies, Edmondson offers a new narrative of brave activists, bold journalists, and publishers, and hard-headed southern officials. These little-known courtroom dramas at the intersection of race, libel, and journalism go beyond the activism of the 1960s and span much of the country's history, beginning with lawsuits filed against abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and concluding with a suit spawned by the 1988 film Mississippi Burning.

In Sullivan's Shadow, Aimee Edmondson delves into the far-reaching consequences of the far right's strategy of sowing public distrust in the media as a political tool. Through the lens of libel law, the author reveals how southern officials have weaponized this legal framework to suppress free speech and silence African American dissent. This strategy was pursued relentlessly throughout the civil rights era and beyond, as southern officials sought to intimidate journalists who dared to report on police brutality against protestors.

Edmondson's book takes a deep dive into the historical context of this strategy, tracing its roots back to the antebellum period. She highlights the lawsuits filed against abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement, as a precursor to the tactics employed by the far right. These lawsuits aimed to silence Garrison's critical writings and intimidate other journalists who dared to challenge the status quo.

The book then moves forward to the civil rights era, where the strategy of using libel law to stifle dissent became even more pronounced. Edmondson examines a series of landmark cases that preceded and followed the Supreme Court's famous 1964 decision in New York Times v. Sullivan. In this case, the Court established the principle of "actual malice," which required journalists to prove that they had published false statements with knowledge that they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth.

However, Edmondson argues that the far right exploited the nuances of this ruling to their advantage. They used libel law to intimidate journalists who reported on civil rights, often filing lawsuits that were baseless or frivolous. These lawsuits not only put financial strain on journalists and their organizations but also served to silence their reporting and deter others from engaging in similar activism.

Edmondson's book also sheds light on the impact of these lawsuits on the African American community. The fear of libel suits and defamation suits often deterred African American journalists and activists from reporting on important issues, as they feared that their careers and reputations would be destroyed if they were sued. This silencing effect had a profound impact on the ability of the African American community to advocate for their rights and to hold their government accountable.

In addition to examining the historical context and legal implications of these cases, Edmondson also offers a new narrative of brave activists, bold journalists, and publishers who stood up against the far right's strategy. She highlights the stories of individuals who faced legal challenges and fought back against the intimidation and suppression they faced. These individuals not only risked their careers and reputations but also played a crucial role in shaping the history of civil rights and journalism.

Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Edmondson provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the far right's strategy of sowing public distrust in the media. In Sullivan's Shadow, the author offers a fresh perspective on the civil rights era and beyond, shedding light on the little-known courtroom dramas that played a significant role in shaping the country's history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of race, libel, and journalism and the ongoing struggle for free speech and social justice.

\n Weight: 660g\n
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 34 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781625344083\n \n