Florida Politics

Big Brother in Florida is Looking to Watch Over Media Outlets, 'Bloggers'

Share

State Senator Jason Brodeur (R) has introduced a bill requiring compensated bloggers who write about the Florida government to register with the Florida Office of Legislative Services or Commission on Ethics.

Senator Brodeur's measure could be seen as an infringement on the First Amendment, but will Gov. Ron DeSantis support it?

Dubbed "Information Dissemination," anyone who blogs about the Governor and his Cabinet, the Attorney General, or any member of the Florida Legislature for money must register within five days of posting.

Afterward, bloggers must make monthly reports "on the 10th day after the end of each calendar month."

Big Brother really could be watching media reporters in the near future.

Additionally, the report must identify who paid the blogger and how much they were paid (to the nearest $10 value).

Similarly, if being paid for multiple posts or during a set time period, how much the blogger is set to receive must be reported after the first initial post.

Moreover, bloggers must report the date their posts are published and on what website their posts are on.

Should any blogger not file a report on time, they will be fined $25 per day late, up to a maximum of $2500 per report.

Do note that this bill refers exclusively to bloggers; newspapers and their websites do not meet these criteria.

While the bill excludes "newspapers and their websites," how could it?

DeSantis and many lawmakers have complained about how the media has covered them, mainly "legacy media," so wouldn't all newpapers and "their websites" be included?

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.

Recent Posts

Trump Opposes PRESS Act, Calls For Senate to Kill Press Protections Passed by House

President-elect Donald Trump has signaled his opposition to the bipartisan PRESS Act, passed in the…

4 hours ago

'I Wasn't Convinced': Pizzo Talks Lackluster Dems, Vows to Move Party Away from Left Fringe

TALLAHASSEE—Hinting at his plan to steer Florida Democrats away from detrimentally ultra-progressive platforms, Senate Minority…

4 hours ago

Bean, Sessions Launch DOGE Caucus as Trump Prepares to Assume Office

A priority of the incoming Trump Administration is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a…

5 hours ago

Moskowitz Calls for Department of Homeland Security to be Broken Up

Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D) is calling for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to…

5 hours ago

JUICE🍊—11.21.2024—Transgender Fight Goes to Congress—Moody More Popular Than DeSantis—Luna, Lara Trump, Donalds—Much More...

'Men are men and Women are Women' Since the election of the first transgender member…

6 hours ago

Mast on Transgender Bathroom Bill: "Men are men and Women are Women"

Since the election of the first transgender member of Congress earlier in November– Rep.-elect Sarah…

7 hours ago