You Could Soon Be Fined for Defamation for Calling Someone Racist in Florida

Ghost Utmost

The Soul of the Internet
Supporter
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
20,415
Reputation
8,799
Daps
74,360
Reppin
the Aether
but isnt that how DEMOCRACY WORKS.... isnt majority rules why do you think they get in power in the first place???:what: you blaming me when all im doing is making a mockery of what YOU expounded when voting doesnt work to your benefit!!! :stopitslime:

We all need to vote against Donald Trump.

Do your part.
 

Professor Emeritus

Veteran
Poster of the Year
Supporter
Joined
Jan 5, 2015
Messages
51,331
Reputation
19,930
Daps
204,097
Reppin
the ether
In cases of alleged homophobia or transphobia, defendants charged with defamation are not allowed to use the plaintiff’s religious or scientific beliefs as part of their defense.


They're going to apply that loophole to racism too. So if anyone says, "I think God has cursed Black people", or "Science proves that Black people are inferior", and you accuse them of being racist, you'll be the one who gets sued and you'll be prohibited from using their racist religious and scientific statements to defend yourself.
 

The Half-Blood FKA Prince

Avada Kedavbreh!
Joined
May 24, 2022
Messages
5,412
Reputation
4,103
Daps
16,006
Tori Otten/

January 8, 2024/1:00 p.m. ET



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.​

Florida state Capitol building

JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES

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.

In cases of alleged homophobia or transphobia, defendants charged with defamation are not allowed to use the plaintiff’s religious or scientific beliefs as part of their defense. If they are found liable for defamation, the defendant could be fined at least $35,000.

The bill applies to statements made in print, on television, or on social media. It also states that someone who is caught in a viral video engaging in allegedly discriminatory behaviors does not qualify as a “public figure,” giving those people even more grounds to sue.

Finally, the bill removes certain journalistic privileges, particularly the right to keep sources anonymous. Statements from anonymous sources would be considered “presumptively false,” making journalists reporting on discrimination vulnerable to lawsuits.

“More attempts to chill free speech in the ‘free’ State of Florida,” Democratic state Representative Anna Eskamani tweeted about the measure.

The bill was introduced by state Senator Jason Brodeur, who, despite claiming he wants to protect free speech, has taken aim at the right to free speech multiple times. In 2023, he introduced a bill that would require paid bloggers who write about elected officials to register with the state. Such a registry of political writers and independent journalists would have allowed for increased surveillance.

Brodeur’s new bill is almost an exact copy of another measure introduced early last year. That original bill passed the Civil Justice Subcommittee but ultimately failed in the Judiciary Committee.

Florida increased its attacks on LGBTQ rights over the course of 2023. With Republicans holding both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s office, the new version might stand a chance.

If the new bill does become law, it is unlikely to survive a legal challenge due to its clear violations of free speech and anti-discrimination laws. But as with so many Republican culture-war laws, the point is not to create good legislation. The point is to scare people.
Just call them "floridians". Same difference, even harder impact, and for obvious reasons it would be difficult to claim defamation.
 

The Half-Blood FKA Prince

Avada Kedavbreh!
Joined
May 24, 2022
Messages
5,412
Reputation
4,103
Daps
16,006
Those cave monkeys have been saying that the word "racist" has no meaning anymore, but they wanna try to fine you for applying the term to them. Their actions show their hypocrisy. That's why anything they say about us is worthless.

They're bytchmade. We know it. They know it. Their own women know it and that's why their birth rates are in the shytter across the globe.
Every accusation is high key a confession.
 

The Half-Blood FKA Prince

Avada Kedavbreh!
Joined
May 24, 2022
Messages
5,412
Reputation
4,103
Daps
16,006
They're going to apply that loophole to racism too. So if anyone says, "I think God has cursed Black people", or "Science proves that Black people are inferior", and you accuse them of being racist, you'll be the one who gets sued and you'll be prohibited from using their racist religious and scientific statements to defend yourself.
In their panicked fervor to shield themselves from actually standing on their racist beliefs ten toes down, it seems not to have occurred to them that having to pass a whole fukkin bill to silence those who call them out is literally tantamount to a confession. Like, its not even necessary to really accuse them of being racist at this point. Just reference the bill, it pretty much speaks for itself. :francis:
 
Top