Seattle Times Co. v. Rhinehart

467 U.S. 20 (1984).

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

When the Seattle Times (D) published an expose of the Society of Antiquarians (P) and Rhinehart (P1), they sued for libel. On discovery, D demanded a list of members of P and the amounts each made in donations over a five-year period. P objected; it was oppressive and a violation of the right to privacy. The trial court ordered production of the names and amounts, and that the names not be published. Both sides appealed. The Washington Supreme Court affirmed; the protective order upheld the integrity of the discovery process, an interest sufficient to overcome D’s First Amendment rights. D appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court: the protective order violated the freedom of the press.