William J. Brennan, Jr. Quote

We consider this case against the background of a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials.

Writing for the court, New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964).