Final answer:
The classification of defamation as a felony is not based solely on the amount; it varies by jurisdiction and is often a civil matter. Political speech is highly protected, and public officials must meet a high standard of 'actual malice' to win a defamation suit, as established in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan.It is false.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is false that uttering a defamatory statement always constitutes a felony, regardless of the amount. The criminal classification of uttering defamatory statements, such as libel (written) or slander (spoken), depends on the jurisdiction's laws. In many cases, defamation is treated as a civil matter rather than a criminal one, allowing the injured party to sue for monetary damages.
The statement that the Court has been particularly protective of political speech is true. The First Amendment provides robust protection for political speech, which is considered essential to a functioning democracy. The landmark Supreme Court case, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, established the high threshold of "actual malice" that public officials must prove to succeed in a defamation lawsuit concerning their official conduct. This means the plaintiff, typically a public official in cases of political speech, must show that the false statement was made with knowledge of its falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.