No. 25-770October Term 2025Dismissed
Alan M. Dershowitz v. Cable News Network, Inc.
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Dismissed
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 29, 2026
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Question presented
1. Whether a defendant’s systematic omission of qualifying and limiting language from a plaintiff’s recorded statement constitutes proof of actual malice under New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), sufficient to survive summary judgment, as the Second, Third, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits have held, and contrary to what the Eleventh Circuit held below? 2. Whether the actual malice standard established in Sullivan, or as extended by its progeny, should be discarded altogether or at least as to private citizens who are public figures? 3. Whether this Court should modify Sullivan’s clear-and-convincing and burden-of-proof evidentiary standards?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Decision released Jun 29, 2026
- Area
Dismissed Supreme Court case
Briefing
What it's about
This is a petition asking the Supreme Court to hear a defamation fight between Alan Dershowitz and CNN. Dershowitz says CNN left out qualifying language from a recorded statement, and he wants the Court to say whether that can show actual malice (publishing a false claim knowingly or with reckless disregard for truth) and whether New York Times v. Sullivan should be changed.
Argument
The case is still at the certiorari (review) stage, and no oral argument is scheduled. Dershowitz asks the Court to review the Eleventh Circuit and revisit or modify Sullivan’s actual malice and proof rules.
Impact
The case could affect how hard it is for public figures to sue news outlets over edited quotes or clips. For example, it could matter when a professor, commentator, or politician says a network removed key limits or context from what he said.
What is Dershowitz v. CNN about?
Dershowitz says CNN omitted qualifying words from a recorded statement and changed its meaning. He asks the Court to revisit whether that can prove actual malice and whether Sullivan itself should be changed.
Who could be affected if the Court takes Dershowitz v. CNN?
Public figures, media companies, and others in defamation cases could be affected. The case could influence lawsuits over edited interviews, clips, or other reporting that allegedly leaves out key context.
What happens next in Alan M. Dershowitz v. CNN?
The justices must decide whether to grant certiorari (hear the case). If they do, the next major step would be briefing and oral argument scheduling.
Decision
What the Court decided
The justices are being asked not only to review one dispute with CNN, but also to rethink core rules for defamation suits by public figures.
Impact
The case could affect how hard it is for public figures to sue news outlets over edited quotes or clips. For example, it could matter when a professor, commentator, or politician says a network removed key limits or context from what he said.
Not official Court text.
Opinion documents
Documents
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Aug 2, 2026
- Method
- Methodology