MILKOVICH v. LORAIN JOURNAL CO. et al.
Supreme Court Cases
497 U.S. 1 (1990)
Case Overview
Legal Principle at Issue
Whether the First Amendment requires a separate "opinion" privilege that restricts the application of state libel laws.
Action
Reversed and remanded. Petitioning party received a favorable disposition.
Facts/Syllabus
While petitioner Milkovich was a high school wrestling coach, his team was involved in an altercation at a match with another high school's team. Both he and School Superintendent Scott testified at an investigatory hearing before the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), which placed the team on probation. They testified again during a suit by several parents, in which a county court overturned OHSAA's ruling. The day after the court's decision, respondent Lorain Journal Company's newspaper published a column authored by respondent Diadiun, which implied that Milkovich lied under oath in the judicial proceeding. Milkovich commenced a defamation action against respondents in the county court, alleging that the column accused him of committing the crime of perjury, damaged him in his occupation of teacher and coach, and constituted libel per se.
Advocated for Respondent
- Richard D. Panza View all cases
Advocated for Petitioner
- Brent L. English View all cases
Cite this page
- MILKOVICH v. LORAIN JOURNAL CO. et al.. (n.d.). First Amendment Library. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/milkovich-v-lorain-journal-co-et-al
- MILKOVICH v. LORAIN JOURNAL CO. et al., First Amendment Library, https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/milkovich-v-lorain-journal-co-et-al (last visited 20 Feb. 2025).
- Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). "MILKOVICH v. LORAIN JOURNAL CO. et al.." Oyez. https://www.thefire.org/supreme-court/milkovich-v-lorain-journal-co-et-al (accessed February 20, 2025).
- "MILKOVICH v. LORAIN JOURNAL CO. et al.." First Amendment Library. Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), n.d. 20 Feb. 2025, www.thefire.org/supreme-court/milkovich-v-lorain-journal-co-et-al.