Section 51-5-7. Privileged communications

   The following communications are deemed privileged:

   (1) Statements made in good faith in the performance of a public duty;

   (2) Statements made in good faith in the performance of a legal or moral private duty;

   (3) Statements made with a good faith intent on the part of the speaker to protect his or her interest in a matter in which it is concerned;

   (4) Statements made in good faith as part of an act in furtherance of the right of free speech or the right to petition government for a redress of grievances under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Georgia in connection with an issue of public interest or concern, as defined in subsection (c) of Code Section 9-11-11.1;

   (5) Fair and honest reports of the proceedings of legislative or judicial bodies;

   (6) Fair and honest reports of court proceedings;

   (7) Comments of counsel, fairly made, on the circumstances of a case in which he or she is involved and on the conduct of the parties in connection therewith;

   (8) Truthful reports of information received from any arresting officer or police authorities; and

   (9) Comments upon the acts of public men or public women in their public capacity and with reference thereto.

Orig. Code 1863, § 2922; Code 1868, § 2929; Code 1873, § 2980; Code 1882, § 2980; Ga. L. 1893, p. 131, § 2; Civil Code 1895, §§ 3836, 3840; Civil Code 1910, §§ 4432, 4436; Code 1933, §§ 105-704, 105-709; Ga. L. 1996, p. 260, § 2.