45-2-11.
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/ut/title-45/chapter-2/45-2-11A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Effective 5/7/2025
45-2-11. Fair reporting privilege of newspaper or broadcasting station personnel as to public official proceedings -- Privilege as to defamatory matter not subject to censorship.
(1)Except as provided in Subsection
(2), the following persons may not be prosecuted for a fair and true report or broadcast of a judicial, legislative, or other public official proceeding, or of a statement, speech, argument, or debate related to the judicial, legislative, or other public official proceeding:
(a)a reporter, editor, or proprietor of a newspaper;
(b)an owner, a licensee, or an operator of a visual sound radio broadcasting station or network of stations; or
(c)an agent or employee of a newspaper or broadcasting station.
(2)Notwithstanding Subsection
(1), a person listed in Subsection (1)(a) , (b), or
(c)may be prosecuted for making a report described in Subsection
(1)if there is proof the person acted with malice in making the report, which may not be implied from the mere fact of publication.
(3)An owner, licensee, or operator of a visual or sound radio broadcasting station or network of stations, or an agent or employee of a sound radio broadcasting station or network of stations, may not be prosecuted for a defamatory matter or statement published or uttered in a radio or television broadcast if the publication cannot be censored by reason of the provisions of a federal statute or a regulation issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173 , 2025 General Session