New York Times Co. v. Sullivan was a landmark decision enacted by the US Supreme Court in 1964. It stated that, a press report or publication would be considered libel (defamatory printed communications) if the "actual malice" standard or principle is met.
Actual malice is defined as the requirement that public officials need to prove in order to suit for libel, if they want to have a chance to suceed in a lawsuit. Public officials and public personalities are subject to tougher standards than ordinary people, who are not known for the general public.