In all civil actions to recover damages for libel or slander, it shall be sufficient to state generally what the defamatory matter was, and that it was published or spoken of the plaintiff, and to allege any general or special damage caused thereby. As a defense thereto the defendant may deny and offer evidence to disprove the charges made, or he may prove that the matter charged as defamatory was true and, in addition thereto, that it was published or spoken under such circumstances as to render it a privileged communication.
§ 1444.1.Pleading - Proof - Defenses
Chapter 25: Slander and Libel · Last amended April 7, 1981 · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceSets Oklahoma's pleading standard for libel and slander suits, letting a plaintiff state generally what the defamatory matter was and allege damage, while confirming that a defendant may deny the charge, disprove it, or prove the statement was true and privileged.
Full Text of § 1444.1
Amendment History
Laws 1981, HB 1252, c. 21, § 2, emerg. eff. 4/7/1981.
Plain-English Summary
Section 1444.1 relaxes the pleading burden for defamation plaintiffs. A petition doesn't need to quote the exact words or lay out every detail -- it's enough to state generally what the defamatory matter was, allege that it was published or spoken about the plaintiff, and claim the general or special damage it caused.
The same section gives the defendant two main lines of defense. A defendant can deny the charge and offer evidence disproving it, or can admit the statement but prove it was true and made under circumstances that render it privileged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How specific does a defamation petition have to be in Oklahoma?
Not much. Section 1444.1 lets a plaintiff state generally what the defamatory matter was, that it concerned the plaintiff, and what damage it caused, without pleading every detail.
Is truth a defense to a libel or slander claim?
Yes. A defendant may prove that the matter charged as defamatory was true, and additionally that it was published or spoken under circumstances making it privileged.
Can a defendant just deny making the statement?
Yes. The statute lets a defendant deny the charges and offer evidence to disprove them, as an alternative to a truth-and-privilege defense.
Do I have to specify a dollar amount of damages when I sue for defamation?
The statute requires only that the plaintiff allege general or special damage caused by the statement, not a specific figure.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: oklahoma defamation pleading standard12 O.S. § 1444.1truth defense to libel oklahomahow to plead a slander claim oklahoma