A federal judge has ordered Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios to pay The New York Times $171,000 in damages after dismissing the studio’s defamation lawsuit against the newspaper. The lawsuit was filed in response to the Times’ investigation into actress Blake Lively’s allegations of sexual harassment and a smear campaign during the production of the film “It Ends With Us.” The judge previously ruled that the Times’ reporting was protected by the First Amendment and dismissed the case. The awarded damages cover the newspaper’s legal fees and costs incurred in defending the suit. The Times investigation, published in December 2024, detailed Lively’s claims that Baldoni and other studio associates engaged in a coordinated effort to damage her reputation after she raised concerns about on-set behavior. Baldoni has denied all allegations. The court’s order marks a significant legal setback for Wayfarer Studios, which had sought to hold the Times accountable for what it called a “hit piece.” Legal experts note that such fee-shifting rulings are common when a lawsuit is deemed frivolous. The Times expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating it vindicates the importance of press freedom. No further legal actions are currently pending.