Defamation bills’ defeat only bright spot By Bobby Block FAF Executive Director From the perspective of the First Amendment, the best thing about Florida’s 2023 legislative session is that it is now over. On Friday morning, senators and representatives congratulated themselves for their slavish efforts to the governor’s agenda, packed up their bags and went […]

Tallahassee Democrat USA TODAY NETWORK BY: Douglas Soule TALLAHASSEE — What Gov. Ron DeSantis wants, DeSantis usually gets, at least as far as the Florida Legislature goes. From lowering the death penalty threshold to providing the weapons for his war with Disney, the governor’s policy priorities have been speedily pushed over the finish line by an obliging Republican supermajority. […]

Orlando Sentinel By: Skyler Swisher TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to make it easier for prominent people to sue media outlets for defamation appears to have failed in the Legislature this year, one of the few things lawmakers didn’t deliver for him as they finish their session Friday. The measure would have made sweeping changes […]