19-2-14. Definitions pertaining to journalist and newscaster privilege. Terms used in §§ 19-2-14 to 19-2-20, inclusive, mean:

(1) "Journalist," any person who, for pay, is engaged in gathering, preparing, collecting, writing, editing, filming, taping, or photographing news for publication in or with a newspaper, magazine, news agency, press association, wire service, or other professional medium or agency that has as one of its principal functions the processing and researching of news intended for publication. The term includes any person who is an employee of, or who is otherwise affiliated for pay with, the medium or agency and any student enrolled at an accredited university, college, or technical school in this state who otherwise meets the requirements of this subdivision;

(2) "Magazine," any publication containing news that is published and distributed periodically for at least one year, has a paid circulation, and has been entered with the United States Postal Service as periodicals-class material;

(3) "News," any written, oral, pictorial, photographic, or electronically recorded information or communication concerning local, national, or worldwide events or other matters of public concern or public interest or affecting the public welfare;

(4) "News agency," any organization that supplies news to subscribing newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and news broadcasters;

(5) "Newscaster," any person who, for pay, is engaged in gathering, preparing, collecting, writing, editing, filming, taping, or broadcasting news on a radio or television station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. The term includes any student enrolled at an accredited university, college, or technical school in this state who meets the requirements of this subdivision;

(6) "Newspaper," any legal newspaper as defined under §§ 17-2-2.1 to 17-2-2.5, inclusive;

(7) "Press association," any association of newspapers or magazines formed to gather and distribute news to its members;

(8) "Wire service," any news agency that provides syndicated news copy by wire to subscribing newspapers, magazines, periodicals, or news broadcasters.Source: SL 2019, ch 102, § 1.