Absolute privilege cannot be defeated by the plaintiff’s proof that the defendant’s statements were motivated by malice.
On the other hand, qualified privilege can be defeated by proof of malice.
A statement is made maliciously if it was actuated by dominant improper motive(s).
In addition, a statement which is made without belief in its truth or recklessly (that is, with indifference to its truth or falsity) is one that is published with malice.