---
title: "Correction, clarification or apology for publication, with placement and prominence schedule"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law/correction-clarification-apology-for-publication"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a33-correction-clarification-apology-for-publication"
area_id: "A33"
kind: "notice"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A33-A20260923-3", "A33-T1-R10"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-18"
---

# Correction, clarification or apology for publication, with placement and prominence schedule

> Three graded forms of published corrective statement (clarification, correction, correction with apology) for a publisher responding to a complaint or an offer to make amends, with a schedule fixing placement,…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law/correction-clarification-apology-for-publication  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-18

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

Three graded forms of published corrective statement (clarification, correction, correction with apology) for a publisher responding to a complaint or an offer to make amends, with a schedule fixing placement, prominence, timing, duration and online steps.

## Key facts

- Kind: Notice. A formal notice to serve or publish.
- Practice area: [Defamation & Media Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: New South Wales, Australia
- AI level: Yellow. AI can help in set ways. A lawyer checks specific points before use.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-18
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-18 against the 4 authorities it cites, for New South Wales and Australia.

## When to use it

Use when a publisher decides to correct or clarify matter it has published, whether on its own initiative, under an offer to make amends, or as part of a settlement. If the correction is part of a settlement, put the agreed wording in the deed schedule instead. Settle the wording with the complainant where possible.

## Used for these tasks

- [Compare the published text with a proposed correction](https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law.md#A33-A20260923-3)
- [Draft a settlement deed and a corrective statement or apology](https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law.md#A33-T1-R10)

## How AI may be used

AI may compare the draft correction with the original matter and the imputations complained of; the lawyer and editor settle what is corrected, the wording and its prominence.

**AI may:**

- Compare the draft correction with the original matter and list each statement or imputation complained of that it does or does not address
- Check that the correction does not repeat the defamatory imputation in a way that republishes it
- Fill the placement schedule from the original publication’s position, headline size and channels

**AI must not:**

- Must not write the correction or apology wording that is published
- Must not decide which form (clarification, correction or apology) to use
- Must not publish, post or schedule the correction on any channel

**The lawyer checks:**

- The form chosen matches the instructions and the risk: a clarification does not concede falsity, an apology does
- The correction is at least as prominent as the original and published promptly, because both affect whether an offer is reasonable (s 18(2)(a))
- Online steps cover the original URL, syndication partners and social media posts the publisher controls
- If it is part of an offer to make amends or settlement, the wording matches the offer or deed exactly

## Authorities

- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 15(1)(d), (1A)(a), (1B) (offer to make amends: reasonable correction or clarification; apology; access prevention steps for digital matter)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 18(2)(a) (reasonableness of an offer: prominence and timing of any correction or apology)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 20 (apology is not an admission of fault or liability)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 38(1)(a), (b) (apology and correction admissible in mitigation of damages)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law/correction-clarification-apology-for-publication and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

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