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Court Rules First Amendment Bars DeSantis from Punishing Media for Health Disinformation

Oct 18, 2024, 05:00 PM

A recent court ruling has determined that the First Amendment prevents the state of Florida from threatening media outlets with criminal punishment for allegedly spreading health-related disinformation. This decision comes amid ongoing controversies involving Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been accused of using government power to suppress media and political speech he disagrees with. The ruling also granted a restraining order to protect Floridians from what has been described as DeSantis' weaponization of government authority. Critics, including Eugene Volokh and Maxwell, argue that these actions represent an assault on the First Amendment and the rule of law, with one commentator noting, 'Putin would be proud.'