In New York Times v. Sullivan, the Supreme Court ruled that public officials may not win a libel suit unless they can prove not only that the statement was false, but also that

A. it was false to a ludicrous degree.
B. the writer knew it was false or had a reckless disregard for the truth.
C. no reasonable person would have been able to discern its falseness without significant effort.
D. any reasonable person would have been able to discern its falseness without significant effort.
E. the writer honestly believed it to be true.

Answer: B