Legal Definitions - fair-report privilege

Definition: Fair-report privilege is a legal defense that protects publishers from being held liable for defamation when they report on official or judicial proceedings. This defense applies when the report is a complete, unbiased, and accurate account of the proceeding.

Example: A newspaper reports on a court case involving a local politician who is accused of embezzlement. The article accurately describes the charges against the politician and quotes statements made by witnesses during the trial. Even if the politician is later found innocent, the newspaper is protected by fair-report privilege because they reported on the proceedings in a fair and accurate manner.

Explanation: Fair-report privilege is designed to encourage the media to report on important public events without fear of being sued for defamation. This defense recognizes that journalists play an important role in informing the public about official and judicial proceedings, and that they should not be punished for doing so as long as they report accurately and fairly.