“Nicholas Sandmann settles defamation lawsuit against Washington Post.”

Roy Gutterman, associate professor of newspaper and online journalism at the Newhouse School and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech, was quoted in the Washington Times story, “Nicholas Sandmann settles defamation lawsuit against Washington Post.” Gutterman, an expert on communications law and First Amendment law, says it may have been better for the  Washington Post to settle rather than go to court, as the case shows “the dangers that media face when dealing with defamation suits like this.” “Even though the law and facts seemed to support a vigorous defense, the prospect of litigation and continued appeals, probably made settlement a practical and safer option,” says Gutterman.