# Courts and Judicial Proceedings (GCJ)

## Title 3. Courts of General Jurisdiction -- Jurisdiction/special Causes of Action

### Subtitle 5. Defamation

#### Section 3-501

Any word spoken falsely and maliciously and likely to injure a woman's character or reputation for chastity is slander.

#### Section 3-502

(a) A single or married woman whose character or reputation for chastity is defamed by any person may maintain an action against that person.

(b) The husband may maintain an action of slander against any person for words spoken falsely and maliciously about his wife for her character or reputation for chastity before or during the marriage.

#### Section 3-503

An owner, licensee, or operator of a television or radio station or network of stations, and his agents or employees are not liable for a defamatory statement published or uttered over the facilities of the station or network of stations by a candidate for public office as to his opponents for the office he seeks, if the publication or utterance cannot be censored by the owner, licensee, or operator under any regulation of the Federal Communications Commission or a federal statute.

#### Section 3-504

(a)

  (1) An owner, licensee, or operator of a television or radio station or network of stations and his agents or employees may be liable for a defamatory statement published or uttered over the facilities of the station or network of stations by a candidate for public office as to a person other than his opponent.

  (2) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the liability is limited to compensation for actual damages sustained.

(b) Upon proof of actual malice on part of the owner, licensee, or operator of the broadcasting station or network of stations and his agents or employees, punitive damages may be assessed.

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Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)