The Florida First Amendment Foundation is raising questions about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent efforts to prod state lawmakers to make it easier for Floridians to sue media organizations for defamation.

DeSantis held a roundtable discussion earlier this month with libel law experts and people who say they were harmed by media reporting. During the event, attorney Elizabeth Locke said the use of anonymous sources and the lack of opportunities for citizens to make meaningful comments in the media rebutting allegations against them are a cause for concern.

But Bobby Block, executive director of the First Amendment Foundation, expressed concern that Florida officials may try to turn back the clock on legal precedents that protect criticisms of public officials and public figures. Defamation law is overshadowed by the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan U.S. Supreme Court decision, which requires the proof of “actual malice” for a public official to prevail in a defamation lawsuit against a media company.