privileged communication

noun

1

: confidential communication

2

a

: a defamatory communication that does not expose the party making it to the liability that would follow from it if not privileged

called also absolutely privileged communication

b

: a defamatory statement made by one person to another who is in a confidential relation (as that of a prospective employer) or who has an interest therein that may upon proof of bad faith or actual malice be deprived of its privileged character

called also conditionally privileged communication