| YIKES.
A bill introduced in the Florida legislature earlier this month would require that “bloggers” who write about Gov. Ron DeSantis, his administration or members of the state legislature register with state authorities or face potential fines.
Florida Senate Bill 1316 would mandate that anyone who falls under a loosely defined category of blogger must register with the Florida Office of Legislative Services or the Commission on Ethics within five days after publishing an article that mentions any of these state officials.
Contrary to what Ron DeSantis might believe, the Constitution still applies in Florida. It’s hard to think of any legislation that’s more in violation of the First Amendment than this bill from the governor’s allies.
This bill chills free speech and must be soundly rejected by all of us. Will you add your name to our petition calling on the Florida legislature to kill the blatantly unconstitutional, deeply un-American Senate Bill 1316? This bill follows a pattern of Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature cooperating with Gov. DeSantis to challenge long-standing legal precedents that protect journalists operating in the United States.
According to reports, DeSantis’ goal is to take a legal challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court and overturn New York Times v. Sullivan, the landmark ruling that limits public officials’ ability to sue publishers for defamation. DeSantis has also advocated for legal changes that would force journalists to reveal their sources, including whistleblowers shedding light on government abuses.
This draconian legislation attacking the rights of journalists and other media makers represents a frightening strain of authoritarianism in the United States. Whether it’s limitations on what can be taught in schools, Texas legislation that would ban internet providers from connecting to websites offering abortion information or moves to take away people’s right to protest in Georgia, efforts to undermine our constitutional freedoms are finding a foothold in GOP-controlled states across the country.
We have to fight such horrible bills and call out politicians or anyone else who seeks to entrench the views and prejudices of a privileged few while stripping away the rights of everyone else. If you’re with us, add your name to our petition calling on the Florida legislature to kill Senate Bill 1316. Thanks for taking action on this,
Candace and the rest of the Free Press Action team
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