What was the supreme court’s ruling in new york times co. v. sullivan?
false speech is unacceptable in every circumstance.
false speech is never harmful to listeners.
false speech cannot be constitutionally protected.
false speech can be allowed if it is not intentionally malicious.

False speech can be allowed if it is not intentionally malicious.

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan was a U. S. Supreme Court case in which the court argued that press reports needed to meet an "actual malice standard" before they could be considered libel. The actual malice standard requires the publisher in question to have known about the falsity of a statement or to have acted recklessly in regard to its truth or falsity. This decision allowed free reporting of the civil rights movement, and increased the protection surrounding freedom of the press.