Navigation Florida bill would compel media outlets to remove ‘false or defamatory’ reports from their websites
A Florida bill would take away media outlets’ legal defenses if they fail to remove content deemed defamatory or false from their websites – an eventuality critics say would lead to a flood of frivolous defamation lawsuits against news organizations.
Rep. J.J. Grow (R-Inverness) earlier this year filed House Bill 667, which just gained the approval of the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee and whose companion bill is advancing in the state Senate. The measure would require news publications or broadcast outlets to permanently remove any report on their web servers which a “reasonable person” would conclude includes false or defamatory statements.
According to the Legislature’s summary of the bill, HB 667 would remove media outlets’ current protection against defamation damages if they don’t agree to expunge such material from online sources when asked.
