Section 24-5-508. Qualified privilege for news gathering or dissemination

   Any person, company, or other entity engaged in the gathering and dissemination of news for the public through any newspaper, book, magazine, radio or television broadcast, or electronic means shall have a qualified privilege against disclosure of any information, document, or item obtained or prepared in the gathering or dissemination of news in any proceeding where the one asserting the privilege is not a party, unless it is shown that this privilege has been waived or that what is sought:

   (1) Is material and relevant;

   (2) Cannot be reasonably obtained by alternative means; and

   (3) Is necessary to the proper preparation or presentation of the case of a party seeking the information, document, or item.

Code 1981, § 24-5-508, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 2/HB 24.