---
title: "Assemble the fair-report facts from the publication"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law/assemble-the-fair-report-elements-from-the-publication/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A33-PE20261022-19-US"
practice_area: "Defamation & Media Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Assemble the fair-report facts from the publication

> From the publication, record whether the file describes it as a report in, or a communication to, a public journal of a judicial, legislative, or other public official proceeding, of anything said in the course of that…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law/assemble-the-fair-report-elements-from-the-publication/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Defamation & Media Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the publication, record whether the file describes it as a report in, or a communication to, a public journal of a judicial, legislative, or other public official proceeding, of anything said in the course of that proceeding, or of a verified charge or complaint to a public official upon which a warrant has been issued. Record whether the file describes a report of a public meeting, and whether the meeting is described as lawfully convened, for a lawful purpose, and open to the public. Do not decide that the report is fair and true. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer applies California Civil Code section 47, subdivisions (d) and (e). A privileged publication or broadcast includes a fair and true report in, or a communication to, a public journal of a judicial, legislative, or other public official proceeding, of anything said in the course of it, or of a verified charge or complaint made by any person to a public official upon which a warrant has been issued. Paragraph (d)(2) says paragraph (1) does not make privileged a communication to a public journal that violates Rule 3.6 of the State Bar Rules of Professional Conduct, breaches a court order, or violates a requirement of confidentiality imposed by law. Subdivision (e) covers a fair and true report of the proceedings of a public meeting, if the meeting was lawfully convened for a lawful purpose and open to the public, or a publication of the matter complained of for the public benefit. The public.law text states the same subdivisions. Subdivisions (a) and (b) are the absolute occasions and are a separate task. The lawyer decides whether the report is fair and true and whether an exception in paragraph (d)(2) applies. This is California law. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Assemble the fair-report elements from the publication](https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law/assemble-the-fair-report-elements-from-the-publication.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: From the publication, record whether the file describes it as a report in, or a communication to, a public journal of a judicial, legislative, or other public official proceeding, of anything said in the course of that proceeding, or of a verified charge or complaint to a public official upon which a warrant has been issued. Record whether the file describes a report of a public meeting, and whether the meeting is described as lawfully convened, for a lawful purpose, and open to the public. Do not decide that the report is fair and true.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- The fair-report privileges are subdivisions (d) and (e). They require a fair and true report. They are not the absolute privileges in subdivisions (a) and (b).
- Paragraph (d)(2) removes the privilege for a communication to a public journal that violates State Bar Rule 3.6, breaches a court order, or violates a legal duty of confidentiality.

## Sources

- [California Civil Code section 47](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=47.) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [California Civil Code section 47 (public.law text)](https://california.public.law/codes/ca_civ_code_section_47) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*