FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Oct. 9, 2024 — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration sent a letter threatening television stations that air ads supporting abortion rights with criminal liability under the state’s “sanitary nuisance” law, which could include up to 60 days in jail.

The following statement can be attributed to Seth Stern, director of advocacy of Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF):

“This is the latest proof that there is no limit to how low DeSantis will stoop to censor free speech and punish dissent. It comes on the heels of his efforts to rewrite defamation law to make it easier for the rich and powerful to bankrupt their critics, his Stop WOKE Act stunt, and other similarly unconstitutional nonsense.

“A governor who is confident in his policies and secure in his leadership would welcome debate and correct statements he believes are misleading rather than trying to weaponize trash disposal laws against the free press. But DeSantis is not that governor. His administration’s conduct would be silly if it weren’t such a transparent bully tactic.

“Floridians care about the First Amendment, which is why DeSantis’ outrageous censorship campaigns keep failing. We hope the news outlets he targets will not only ignore him but loudly shame him.”