Some people think that this could lead to problems, but Florida Republicans are happy with the bill’s choice to hold liberal media responsible.
A Republican State Representative named Alex Andrade is pushing for a bill that would make it easier for people in Florida to sue news outlets and writers for libel. Before this bill, it was hard to show this kind of lawsuit in court. Now, it will be much easier.
There have been a lot of political leaders who have spoken out against this bill. This bill can work both ways, according to political adviser Trey Radel, whose main goal is to make it easier to sue the media.
“While certain Republicans may think that they’re going to be suing and taking on The New York Times and The Washington Post, here’s the breaking news: liberal trial lawyers are going to have a field day with center-right media in the state of Florida,” Radel stated. He went on, “Signing this into law will destroy conservative media in this state.”
Radel said he understood why Republicans want people to be responsible, but this bill could affect a lot of conservative media workers who live and work in Florida. He has found a lot of problems with this. The bill says that a news or media source “acted with actual malice” if they report something that isn’t true and is easy to disprove.
Some people don’t fully support this because of its controversial parts. For example, the hearing would be a “veracity hearing,” which means the lawsuit would be sent to a judge instead of a jury for a decision. This goes against the right to a jury and wouldn’t give enough time to investigate.
“I feel for you,” Radel said. They’re mad at the news. But this will make it easier for liberals and liberal defense lawyers to use the law against Trump, just like they are doing now. They don’t even want to win. They want to hide the sounds.
