Florida defamation bill will chill free speech, prompt bogus lawsuits, critics say

TALLAHASSEE — First Amendment advocates urged state lawmakers Tuesday to abandon their push to rewrite Florida’s defamation laws, calling it an unconstitutional effort that will unleash a torrent of lawsuits from powerful people seeking to silence criticism from the press and the public. Despite those concerns, a House panel advanced the measure (HB 991) in a 14-4 vote, supporting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ fight against what he calls “legacy media defamation practices.” The proposal includes one-way attorney fees that will encourage libel lawsuits, drive up libel insurance rates for news media...