Cantrell v. Forest City Publishing Co.

Cantrell v. Forest City Publishing Co. is a 1974 U.S. Supreme Court case concerning defamation and invasion of privacy. The case involved a newspaper that published a story about a family after a tragic event, depicting them in a negative light. The court found that the publication acted with "actual malice," meaning they knowingly published false information or were reckless about its truth. This case emphasized the balance between press freedom and protecting individuals from false and damaging statements, reinforcing the idea that media should act responsibly when reporting on sensitive matters.