A bill being pushed by Republicans in Florida aims to hold liberal media accountable, but one radio host warns that it will ultimately be conservative media that will pay the price.
Republican Rep. Alex Andrade of Pensacola has proposed a bill that would make it easier for Floridians to sue journalists and news organizations for defamation, which has historically been difficult to prove in court.
Trey Ruddell, a political consultant and host for the Fox News radio affiliate in Florida, has been an outspoken critic of the bill (HB 757), saying the bill’s premise is to “make it easier to sue the media.” He argued that the bill would “make it easier to sue the media.” Cut in both directions.
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A Florida radio host warns that the existence of conservative media in the Sunshine State could be in jeopardy if Republicans pass a defamation bill. (St. Petersburg)
“While some Republicans may think they’re going to sue and take on the New York Times and the Washington Post, here’s the breaking news: Liberal trial lawyers are We’re going to have a field day with center-right media in Florida,” Ruddell said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“If you sign this, it will destroy conservative media in this state.”
Ruddell, a former U.S. congressman, said he “absolutely sympathizes” with Republicans demanding accountability from corporate media, but it is members of conservative media who will face the consequences, many of them in the Sunshine State. He said he lives and works there.
He took issue with several aspects of the proposed bill. The bill would crack down on the use of anonymous sources, and if a publisher makes false statements about a public figure, there would be a “rebuttable presumption” to prove with certainty that the publisher “acted with actual malice.” It is said that there is. This will allow any “reasonable person” to sue those who use artificial intelligence against them in a false light. Additionally, the bill would allow plaintiffs to sue in any county as long as the allegedly defamatory material is published on the Internet.
“How do you think a conservative host can hold up in deep blue Broward County with liberal judges, when the people filing the lawsuits have the right to choose where they go?” Ruddell said. Told.
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Trey Ruddell, a host on Florida’s WFSX-FM radio, warned that HB757 would “destroy conservative media.” (Courtesy of Trey Ruddell)
Florida-based media lawyer James Lake similarly offered several objections to the bill in addition to those listed by Ruddell. Pointing to a provision that requires a “truth trial” to expedite a case within 60 days if a judge rather than a jury makes a decision, Lake told Fox News Digital, “This violates the rights of jurors. , denying the right to a jury.” That’s enough time to investigate a complex case. ”
Lake said Section 2 of the bill “helps criminal defendants pursue truthful statements.”
Lake also blasted the “presumption” clause that it is bad faith for journalists to use anonymous sources to tell falsehoods, saying, “In Times v. Sullivan, actual malice must be proven by evidence. “Actual malice must be proven by evidence, thereby violating the First Amendment.” It should not be presumed. ”
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The Florida Legislature is considering a Republican-backed bill that would lower the bar for defamation lawsuits. (Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)
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Ruddell said he believes Republicans who support the bill are “acting like liberals,” and that the bill, if passed, would limit free speech, especially by conservatives. .
“I think Republicans are acting like liberals in enacting legislation based on emotion. They’re not thinking. They’re reacting,” Ruddell told Fox News Digital. he said. “I get that, I sympathize with them. They’re angry at the media. But this opens up the door for liberals and liberal trial lawyers to operate in the courts like they did with Donald Trump. They won’t even care about the problem.’”
Rep. Andrade’s representatives and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis did not respond to requests for comment.
