Bill
Bill > S0752
FL S0752
Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses
summary
Introduced
02/13/2025
02/13/2025
In Committee
02/25/2025
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)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752 |
| Analysis - Commerce and Tourism (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/Analyses/2025s00752.cm.PDF |
| Analysis - Commerce and Tourism (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/Analyses/2025s00752.pre.cm.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/BillText/c1/HTML |
| Replaced by Committee Substitute | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/Amendment/528050/HTML |
| Analysis - Judiciary (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/Analyses/2025s00752.ju.PDF |
| Analysis - Judiciary (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/Analyses/2025s00752.pre.ju.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/752/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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