05 媒体是否可以批评政府官员 Can the Media Criticize Government Officials

Clashes between the media and government officials are nothing new.

One clash goes back to 1960, when The New York Times newspaper published an advertisement from a civil rights group.

The ad objected to violence against peaceful protesters.

It said that student activists in Montgomery, Alabama had gathered at the State Capitol and sung "My Country 'Tis of Thee" to call attention to African-Americans' rights under the U. S. Constitution.

In answer, the ad said, student leaders of the protest were expelled from school and armed police circled the grounds of a local college.

A city official from Montgomery criticized the newspaper ad for misleading information.

L. B. Sullivan launched a case against The Times for libel — publishing information that damaged his reputation.

The Supreme Court ruled against him.

Yes, the justices said, the ad did not have all the details right.

The students had song a different patriotic song, "The Star-Spangled Banner."