reckless disregard of the truth

reckless dis·​re·​gard of the truth

variants or reckless disregard for the truth

1

: disregard of the truth or falsity of a defamatory statement by a person who is highly aware of its probable falsity or entertains serious doubts about its truth or when there are obvious reasons to doubt the veracity and accuracy of a source

the knowingly false statement and the false statement made with reckless disregard of the truth, do not enjoy constitutional protection

—Garrison v. Louisiana, 379 U.S. 64 (1964)

2

: a reckless lack of attention to the truth that misleads or deceives another (as a magistrate)

whether false statements were made intentionally or in reckless disregard of the truth in support of the warrant

—State v. O'Neil, 879 P.2d 950 (1994)