(a)
(1) In consideration of the right-of-way over the public property conceded in this section and §§ 23-17-101 — 23-17-105, 23-17-107 , 23-17-108, and 23-17-113, every telephone corporation in the case of war, insurrection, or civil commotion of any kind and for the arrest of criminals shall give immediate dispatch at the usual rates of charge to any message connected therewith of any officer of the state or of the United States.
(2) Any officer or agent of a telephone company who fails or refuses to carry out the provisions of the preceding subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b)
(1) All other messages, including those received from other telephone companies, shall be transmitted in order of their delivery, correctly and without unreasonable delay, and shall be strictly confidential. However, arrangements may be made with the publishers of newspapers for the transmission of intelligence of general and public interest.
(2) Any officer or agent of a telephone company who willfully violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(3) The telephone company so violating this section is liable in damages to the party aggrieved.