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§ 1447.3.Damages Recoverable

Chapter 25: Slander and Libel · Last amended June 6, 1957 · Last verified August 3, 2026

In one sentenceConfirms that a plaintiff suing over a defamatory statement broadcast on television or radio may recover both actual and punitive damages, to the extent alleged and proved.

Full Text of § 1447.3

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In any action for damages for any defamatory statement published in or uttered as a part of a television and/or radio broadcast, the complaining party shall be allowed such actual and/or punitive damages as he has alleged and proved.

Amendment History

Laws 1957, HB 609, p. 83, § 3, emer. eff. 6/6/1957.

Plain-English Summary

Section 1447.3 sets the measure of recovery for the broadcast-defamation claims the surrounding sections address. A complaining party may recover actual damages, punitive damages, or both, limited only to what's been alleged and proved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recover punitive damages for a defamatory broadcast in Oklahoma?

Yes. Section 1447.3 allows both actual and punitive damages, as long as they're alleged and proved.

Do damages get awarded automatically once you prove the statement was false?

No. The statute limits recovery to the actual and punitive damages the complaining party has alleged and proved.

Does this damages rule cover newspaper libel too?

No, this section addresses damages for a defamatory statement published or uttered as part of a television or radio broadcast specifically, not print.

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: punitive damages broadcast defamation oklahoma12 O.S. § 1447.3damages for tv radio libel oklahoma