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 US 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 Son a different patriotic song.

The Star Spangled Banner and the police did not technically surround the college campus, but the court said these mistakes were minor and harmless.

More important was the first amendments right to free speech.