§ Miss. Code § 23-15-877(untitled)

Prohibitions against newspaper editorials and stories with respect to
integrity of candidate; newspaper's obligation to print reply; liability for damages.
If during any election campaign in Mississippi any newspaper either domiciled in the state, or
outside of the state circulating inside the State of Mississippi, shall print any editorial or news
story reflecting upon the honesty or integrity or moral character of any candidate in such
campaign or on the honesty and integrity or moral character of any candidate who was elected or
defeated in such campaign, such newspaper shall, on the written or telegraphic request of such
candidate or his agents, print in such newspaper not later than the second issue of such
newspaper following the receipt of such request, a statement by the candidate or his duly
accredited representative giving the candidate's reply. Such statement shall be printed in the
exact language which the candidate or his representative presents and shall be printed as near as
is practical on the same page, in the same position, and in the same size type and headlines as the
original editorial or news story reflecting on the candidate had been printed.
This section shall be construed to include those news stories wherein the newspaper quotes
from a candidate or individual statements attacking the honesty or integrity or moral character of
a candidate or ex-candidate.
If such newspaper fails or refuses to publish such answer when requested, the owner of such
newspaper shall be liable to a suit for damages by the candidate claiming to be injured by such
publication. In event of a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, the measure of damages shall be the
injury suffered or a penalty of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), whichever is the larger amount.
In all cases, the truth of the charge may be offered as defense to the suit. But nothing herein
contained shall be construed to abolish any existing legal rights of action in such cases.