---
title: O.C.G.A. § 51-5-5. Inference of malice; rebuttal thereof; effect of rebuttal.
collection: code
id: 51-5-5
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 51-5-5 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-5-5
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-5-5.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-5-5/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t51-(v39)-2017-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6b891965_0#page=570
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-5-4.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/51-5-6.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: TORTS / LIBEL AND SLANDER
---

# O.C.G.A. § 51-5-5. Inference of malice; rebuttal thereof; effect of rebuttal.

In all actions for printed or spoken defamation, malice is inferred from the character of the charge. However, the existence of malice may be rebutted by proof. In all cases, such proof shall be considered in mitigation of damages. In cases of privileged communications, such proof shall bar a recovery.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 2917; Code 1868, § 2924; Code 1873, § 2975; Code 1882, § 2975; Civil Code 1895, § 3833; Civil Code 1910, § 4429; Code 1933, § 105-706.

## Law Reviews

For article, ‘‘Defamation in Georgia Local Government Law: A Brief History,’’ see 16 Ga. L. Rev. 627 (1982).

For comment discussing admissibility of evidence of malice not previously pleaded, in light of Van Gundy v. Wilson, 84 Ga. App. 429, 66 S.E.2d 93 (1951), see 14 Ga. B. J. 358 (1952).