© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Appeals court rules that Florida's law on social media is unconstitutional

Computer screen with icons of social media sites
Fresh Take Florida
A Florida law intended to punish social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for allegedly discriminating against conservative thought is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.

It said the law was overreach to tell the social media companies how to conduct their work.

A Florida law intended to punish social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter for allegedly discriminating against conservative thought is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously concluded that it was overreach for Gov. Ron DeSantis and the GOP-led Florida Legislature to tell the social media companies how to conduct their work.

The ruling upholds a similar decision by a Florida federal judge on the 2021 law.

It was part of an overall conservative effort to portray social media companies as hostile to conservative ideas.

WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online.