Peagler V. Phoenix Newspapers Inc‪.‬

Appellants, Dodge City Motors, Inc. and Julian Peagler, brought this suit against Phoenix Newspapers, Inc., Eugene C. Pulliam, Albert Sitter and J. Edward Murray for damages resulting from an allegedly libelous article in a Phoenix newspaper, The Arizona Republic. The Superior Court first summarily entered a judgment dismissing the suit as to Murray, then ordered the suit by Julian Peagler dismissed, and, finally, on December 20, 1972, at the close of appellant Dodge City Motor's case, directed a verdict against it and in favor of the remaining appellees. The Court of Appeals affirmed, 26 Ariz. App. 274, 547 P.2d 1074 (1976). In light of the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 94 S.Ct. 2997, 41 L.Ed.2d 789 (1974), we took review to resolve the question in Arizona of the standard of liability for libel of private individuals damaged by falsehoods in publications of public or general interest or concern. Decision of the Court of Appeals vacated.