Final answer:
Scottie Pippen sued NBC Universal for libel because the company falsely reported he had filed for bankruptcy. In libel cases involving public figures, such as Pippen, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the false statement was made with reckless disregard for the truth or malice.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Scottie Pippen sued NBC Universal for libel, he was suing over a publication that falsely reported Pippen had filed for bankruptcy. The substantial distinction between libel and slander is that libel occurs through written publications. The key aspect in such cases is the presentation of false information as fact, not as opinion. In the context of public figures, the claimant must demonstrate that the information was published with "reckless disregard" for the truth or with malicious intent.
Regarding the specific legal standards for libel, the landmark case New York Times v. Sullivan (1964) established that because public figures have greater access to channels of communication, they must show that false statements were made with actual malice. This malice test was reaffirmed in Curtis Publishing Co. v. Butts (1967), which held that news organizations may be liable when printing allegations about public figures if the information they disseminate is recklessly gathered and unchecked.