Uh, that’s not what alot of case law has ruled.
Lots of people have sued big media interests for libel and lost. One being Sarah Palin sued the NY Times and lost. Times hid behind the First Amendment and Palin couldn’t prove “Malice”
At least that’s my understanding of it.
I could be mistaken.
> One being Sarah Palin sued the NY Times and lost. <
I think that was because Palin is a public figure. The bar is set much higher in those cases, as it should be.
Anyway, you’re right about the unequal treatment. Sandmann is a not a public figure. He certainly should have prevailed in his lawsuits. He was smeared almost as badly as that Sandy Hook parent was.
The bar is much higher for public figures, especially when it comes to politicians, and malice has taken be proved (which is difficult). When it comes to private citizens, proof of malice is not required.