Constitutional – First Amendment – Political Campaign – Derogatory Statements – Reckless Disregard for Truth
A North Carolina statute, G.S. § 163-274(a)(9) (the Act), may be unconstitutional because it outlaws any derogatory comment “made in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity.” Such a comment may be true, and the First Amendment does not permit outlawing truthful speech. Moreover, under the Act, speakers may lie with impunity about others but ...
Source: nclawyersweekly.com