Which court case affirmed that reporters may publish truthful information obtained through deception?

The court case that affirmed reporters may publish truthful information obtained through deception is Food Lion v. ABC. In this case, the court dealt with the issue of whether journalists could use deceptive practices to gather information for news reports, specifically when ABC used hidden cameras and false pretense to investigate food safety practices at Food Lion supermarkets.

The ruling established that as long as the information published is truthful, the method of obtaining that information, even if deceptive, does not automatically render the publication unprotected by the First Amendment. This sets a significant precedent for investigative journalism, as it recognizes the public's right to know critical information about matters like food safety, even if the methods employed to uncover that information are ethically questionable.

Other cases listed address different aspects of media law. New York Times v. Sullivan primarily introduced the actual malice standard for public figures in defamation cases. Burlington Northern v. Kama focused on labor disputes and does not pertain to journalistic practices, while Sheppard v. Maxwell dealt with pretrial publicity and the right to a fair trial, rather than the issue of deceptive practices in journalism. Thus, Food Lion v. ABC stands out as pivotal in affirming the role of investigative techniques within the boundaries of responsible journalism.