§ 1447.4.Recordation and Preservation of Political Utterances

Chapter 25: Slander and Libel · Last amended May 20, 1975 · Last verified August 3, 2026

In one sentenceRequires television and radio stations to record and preserve every political utterance for two years and make the recordings available to anyone pursuing a libel or defamation lawsuit, backed by a misdemeanor penalty of up to $1,000 plus costs for violations.

Full Text of § 1447.4

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It shall be the duty of such television and/or radio broadcasting station or network to record and preserve all political utterances. Said recording to be preserved for a period of two (2) years and made available to any person or persons instituting legal actions for libel or defamation. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof fined not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and costs.

End

Amendment History

Laws 1957, HB 609, p. 83, § 4, emer. eff. 6/6/1957; Amended by Laws 1975, SB 358, c. 152, § 1, emerg. eff. 5/20/1975.

Plain-English Summary

Section 1447.4 gives the broadcast-defamation scheme in the surrounding sections something to work with -- a record. It requires a television or radio station or network to record and preserve all political utterances for two years, and to make those recordings available to anyone instituting a libel or defamation lawsuit.

A station that violates the recording duty commits a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars plus costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long must an Oklahoma station keep recordings of political statements?

Two years from when the statement was made.

Who can get access to a station's recordings of political utterances?

Anyone who has instituted a legal action for libel or defamation.

What happens if a station doesn't preserve the recordings?

Violating this section is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to one thousand dollars plus costs.

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

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