Louisiana jury awards $300K to justice in libel suit against Advocate; press advocates warn of chilling effect

A Louisiana jury awarded $300,000 to a state supreme court justice in a defamation suit against the Advocate over an editorial, a ruling press advocates say misapplies the 'actual malice' standard. The verdict could deter critical reporting on public officials, though an appeal is likely. The case signals a potential erosion of press protections in state courts.