Murder the truth : fear, the First Amendment, and a secret campaign to protect the powerful / David Enrich.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Enrich, David, 1979- Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sullivan, L. B--Trials, litigation, etc.

Sullivan, L. B.

United States. Constitution--1st Amendment.

United States.

New York Times Company--Trials, litigation, etc.

New York Times Company.

Freedom of the press--United States.

Freedom of the press.

Freedom of information--United States.

Freedom of information.

Press law--United States.

Press law.

Libel and slander--United States.

Libel and slander.

Trials (Libel)--Alabama--Montgomery.

Trials (Libel).

Genre:

Informational works.

Nonfiction novels.

Physical Description:

x, 323 pages ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Mariner Books, [2025]

Summary:

"It seemed like a throwaway line in a forgettable opinion: In 2019, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas raised the prospect of challenging the legendary Warren Court decision New York Times v. Sullivan. Though hardly a household name, Sullivan is one of the most consequential free speech decisions, ever. Fundamental to the creation of the modern media as we know it, it has enabled journalists and writers all over the country-from top national publications to revered local newspapers to independent bloggers-to pursue the truth aggressively and hold the wealthy, powerful, and corrupt to account. Thomas's words were a warning-the public awakening of an idea that had been fomenting on the conservative fringe for years. With that opinion, Thomas took mainstream the ongoing, secret efforts of right-wing politicians, activist lawyers, and moneyed elites who had been seeking to overturn Sullivan in order to muzzle the media and their critics. From the Florida statehouse to small town New Hampshire to Donald Trump himself, this movement consists of powerful individuals who believe they should be above scrutiny-and are using threats, subterfuge, and legal warfare to get their way. In this masterwork of investigative reporting, David Enrich, New York Times Business Investigations Editor, traces the roots and reach of this new threat to our modern democracy. Laying bare the stakes of losing our most sacrosanct rights, Murder the Truth is a story about power-the way it's used by those who have it, and the lengths they will go to avoid it being questioned"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Author's note

Prologue: A panicked phone call

Part I: The consensus. Clearence Thomas' clearest answer

The fighter pilot

Funding evil

Part II: The shift. Trump's bizarre vow

Starting a revolution

Vanquishing the dark side

A couple of workhorses

A form of extremism

Coordinated campaigns of harassment

Clarence Thomas changes his mind

Part III: The movement. The oligarchs' revenge

Triggering: A federal judge

A second justice

Stay out of the kitchen

The slur

Just the beginning

The case of the century

Gunning for Sullivan

Epilogue: A misogynist and a snake

Acknowledgments

Notes

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version Enrich, David, 1979- Murder the truth

ISBN:

9780063372900

0063372908

OCLC:

1504056198