Bill

Bill > S0752


FL S0752

Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses


summary

Introduced
02/13/2025
In Committee
02/25/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An act relating to defamation, false light, and unauthorized publication of name or likenesses; amending s. 770.02, F.S.; requiring that certain articles or broadcasts be removed from any website over which the newspaper, broadcaster, or periodical has control within a specified period to limit damages for defamation; amending s. 770.04, F.S.; providing persons in certain positions relating to newspapers with immunity for defamation if such persons exercise due care to prevent publication or utterance of such a statement; declaring that the continued appearance on any website over which the newspaper, broadcaster, or periodical has control of a published statement determined to be false is deemed to be a new publication of the false statement for certain purposes and that the owner, licensee, or operator is not entitled to a certain privilege; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

This bill amends Florida statutes related to defamation and media publications, specifically updating provisions for newspapers, broadcasters, and online content. The bill requires media outlets to take specific actions to limit potential damages in defamation cases, such as quickly publishing corrections or retractions within specified timeframes depending on publication frequency (10 days for daily publications, up to 45 days for less frequent publications). For online content, the bill mandates that defamatory articles must be permanently removed from websites controlled by the media outlet within the prescribed correction period to qualify for limited damages. Additionally, the bill provides immunity for media owners, licensees, and operators from defamation liability if they exercise "due care" to prevent false statements, and introduces a new provision that if a false statement remains online after receiving notice of its falsity, it can be considered a new publication, potentially removing the fair reporting privilege. These changes aim to balance media protection with accountability, particularly in the context of digital publishing, by encouraging prompt correction and removal of demonstrably false information.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Other Sponsors (1)

Judiciary (S)

Last Action

Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...