N.Y. Const. art. I, § 8: Freedom of speech and press; criminal prosecutions for libel

§ 8. Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his or her

sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that

right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of

speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions or indictments for

libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury; and if it shall

appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was

published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be

acquitted; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and

the fact.