Massachusetts § 98C Libel; groups of persons; defenses; punishment; prosecutions

Massachusetts Statutes

§ 98C — Libel; groups of persons; defenses; punishment; prosecutions

Massachusetts § 98C

Part IVCRIMES, PUNISHMENTS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES

Title ICRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

Ch. 272CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDER

This text of Massachusetts § 98C (Libel; groups of persons; defenses; punishment; prosecutions) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 272, § 98C (2026).

Text

Section 98C. Whoever publishes any false written or printed material with intent to maliciously promote hatred of any group of persons in the commonwealth because of race, color or religion shall be guilty of libel and shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. The defendant may prove in defense that the publication was privileged or was not malicious.  Prosecutions under this section shall be instituted only by the attorney general or by the district attorney for the district in which the alleged libel was published.

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Section 98C. Whoever publishes any false written or printed material with intent to maliciously promote hatred of any group of persons in the commonwealth because of race, color or religion shall be guilty of libel and shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. The defendant may prove in defense that the publication was privileged or was not malicious. Prosecutions under this section shall be instituted only by the attorney general or by the district attorney for the district in which the alleged libel was published.

Nearby Sections

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Discrimination in admission to, or treatment in, place of public accommodation; punishment; forfeiture; civil right

§ 98A

Physically handicapped persons with dog guides; public places or conveyances; charges or fares; penalties

§ 98B

Discrimination in employment on public works or in public relief or transitional assistance

§ 98C

Libel; groups of persons; defenses; punishment; prosecutions

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Bluebook (online)

Massachusetts § 98C, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/ma/272/98C.