Quote:Oct 18 (Reuters) - A federal judge has blocked Florida officials from threatening television stations with prosecution for running advertisements supporting a pro-abortion rights measure in next month's election.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee ruled on Thursday that the threats clearly violated the right to free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
"To keep it simple for the state of Florida: it's the First Amendment, stupid," the judge wrote in his temporary order.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit by Floridians Protecting Freedom, the organization backing the proposed amendment.
Florida's Department of Health sent letters earlier this month, shortly after broadcasters began running ads from the pro-amendment campaign telling viewers that Florida's current abortion ban prevents doctors from performing abortions necessary to save the life or health of the mothers.
The department called that claim "categorically false" and said it endangered public health, and that stations continuing to run the ads could face criminal prosecution.
[...]
Walker said that the state could not censor speech simply by declaring it false.
"The State can continue to combat what it believes to be 'false advertising' by meeting plaintiff's speech with its own," the judge wrote.
A hearing is set for Oct. 29 to decide whether the order should be extended. The election is on Nov. 5.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/florida...024-10-18/
