Nadel v. Regents of University of California

Opinion

KING, J.

I. Introduction

In this case we hold that the standard of malice set forth in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) 376 U.S. 254 [11 L.Ed.2d 686, 84 S.Ct. 710, 95 A.L.R.2d 1412], requiring a public official or public figure to prove knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard of the truth in order to establish a news media defendant’s liability for defamation, also applies to defamation actions against government defendants.

David Nadel and Carol Ruth Denney appeal from a defense judgment in their defamation action against The Regents of the University of California and four…