“Those Recordings Do Not Lie” says Free Speech Expert

The director of the Tully Center for Free Speech at Syracuse University is available to speak on issues surrounding allegations that Donald Trump will be suing the New York Times on defamation. Associate Professor of Newspaper and Online Journalism Roy Gutterman writes and speaks on media law, free speech, the intersection between courts and journalists and legal education issues and is a former reporter and lawyer.

• “Donald Trump’s plans to sue The New York Times and other media outlets for the latest round of allegations is yet another example of Mr. Trump’s inability to understand the vital role the press plays in the political arena.  Trump has used defamation law before to intimidate the press and critics of his business practices. His threats to the press are tantamount to what we see from dictators. Luckily, the courts recognize the First Amendment,” said Gutterman.
• “Defamation law has its place in protecting people’s reputations from false, factual statements that could harm their reputation. Aside from the vetting of the allegations done by reporters here, which would speak to the truth of the allegations, I am not sure at this point that Trump’s reputation can be harmed any further. His own words and actions are enough evidence to show the truth of the statements. Those recordings do not lie. Above and beyond the high burden a public figure like Trump would have to sustain in a successful defamation suit, I would think at this point, he is pretty much libel-proof,” said Gutterman.

Gutterman is available to speak to media. He can be reached at rsgutter@syr.edu.

Please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, director of news and public relations, at 412.496.0551 or ejmbuqe@syr.edu with any questions.