You Could Soon Be Fined for Defamation for Calling Someone Racist in Florida
Florida Republicans have introduced a new bill that would silence basically any accusations of discrimination.
A Florida Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill that would make it defamation to accuse someone of racism, sexism, homophobia, or transphobia, a measure that would deal a devastating blow to freedom of speech in the Sunshine State.
The bill, which was introduced Friday, would make it much easier for someone to sue another person for defamation. The measure states that “an allegation that the plaintiff has discriminated against another person or group because of their race, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity constitutes defamation per se.”
Proving “actual malice” is one of the main requirements of a successful defamation case. And this bill would make that easier, setting up conditions for a fact-finder to automatically infer that actual malice took place after an accusation of discrimination.
Florida Republicans have introduced a new bill that would silence basically any accusations of discrimination.
newrepublic.com