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FL S1220
Bill
AI Summary
- Removes the professional journalist's privilege (shield law) in defamation and related actions, meaning journalists can be compelled to reveal sources and information in defamation lawsuits
- Narrows the definition of "public figure" by specifying that a person does not become a public figure merely by defending themselves against accusations, granting an interview, holding non-elected public employment, or posting content online that goes viral
- Lowers the legal standard from "actual malice" to "negligence" in defamation cases where the defendant does not identify the source of a defamatory statement or where the defamatory statement is unrelated to the plaintiff's public figure status
- Defines "actual malice" to include statements that are fabricated, based wholly on unverified anonymous reports, inherently improbable, or based on informants whose veracity there are obvious reasons to doubt
- Limits attorney fees and costs under Florida's anti-SLAPP statutes for defamation defendants, allowing recovery only if the defamatory statement was not negligently made, with an effective date of July 1, 2023
Legislative Description
Defamation and Related Actions
Last Action
Died in Rules
5/5/2023
Committee Referrals
Rules3/22/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available