Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Company (1989)
- Docket
- 89-645
- Decided
- 1989-01-01
Summary
Question: Are the statements in the newspaper article constitutionally protected opinions? Conclusion: No. In a 7-2 decision, Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote the majority opinion reversing and remanding. The Supreme Court held that there is no special constitutional privilege for opinions. The statements in the newspaper were sufficiently factual to be proved true or false. Justice William J. Brennan wrote a dissent, expressing that the statements could not reasonably be interpreted as defamatory. Justice Thurgood Marshall joined in the dissent.