The First Amendment Foundation joins the Associated Press in calling on Gov. DeSantis to end harassing tweets aimed at reporter. Threatening tweets are dangerous and counter to Florida’s constitutional protections for a free press.
The Governor’s press secretary Christina Pushaw tweeted threats against an AP journalist and, after expressing dissatisfaction with a story published by the AP, called on her followers to “Drag Them.” She also retweeted someone’s call to “Light. Them. Up,” referring to the AP. While Pushaw deleted some posts, she has continued to send threatening tweets.
Although there is nothing wrong with debating stories and challenging articles, a government employee harassing journalists based on the content of their reporting conflicts with the protections for a free and independent press.
