Samantha Barbas, who holds the Aliber Family Chair in Law at the University of Iowa College of Law, was mentioned in The New York Times' The Docket column by Adam Liptak in February. 

In the column, Liptak mentions what he is currently reading and lists Actual Malice: Civil Rights and Freedom of the Press in New York Times v. Sullivan. Liptak writes that, "Samantha Barbas [writes] a meticulous and gripping reconstruction of the case." 

Actual Malice made The New Yorker’s list of the best books of 2023, among other accolades. It brings fresh insights and analysis in examining New York Times v. Sullivan, a historic 1964 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that provided key protections for news organizations against libel lawsuits.