Religious Broadcasters Worry About Proposed FLA Senate Bill

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), an international association of evangelical Christian communicators, urged Florida state lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 752 (SB 752). The NRB expressed concerns that the bill could lead to a surge of "lawfare"—a term referring to the strategic use of legal action to intimidate or silence opponents—targeting Christian broadcasters. 

The appeal was detailed in a letter sent by NRB's general counsel, Michael Farris, to GOP state Senate President Ben Albritton, obtained by Fox News Digital.

SB 752 aims to amend Florida’s retraction statute, which traditionally limits defamation damages if a publisher issues a correction or retraction. The proposed changes would require publishers to also remove online content deemed false if a "reasonable person" would conclude it is untrue, or if a judicial proceeding has determined its falsity. The NRB argues that this vague standard could be exploited to suppress Christian viewpoints, particularly on contentious social issues.

Farris highlighted a hypothetical scenario in the letter: if a Christian broadcaster reported that a transgender male (assigned male at birth) was competing in women’s sports, the broadcaster could face lawsuits under SB 752. Plaintiffs might argue, supported by expert testimony affirming gender transition, that referring to the individual as male is "false and defamatory," given that "reasonable people" might view transgender males as female. This, the NRB contends, could open the door to legal harassment of broadcasters for expressing beliefs rooted in their faith, such as traditional views on gender.

The NRB, representing millions of listeners, viewers, and readers through its member organizations, emphasized that Christian broadcasters often hold positions at odds with societal elites, making them vulnerable to such legal challenges. Farris wrote, "This possibility opens up a very real possibility of weaponizing a wave of ‘lawfare’ against Christian broadcasters simply for standing up for what they believe to be true." The group urged lawmakers to reject the bill, arguing that while it may be well-intentioned, its flaws could severely undermine free speech and religious expression.

The controversy surrounding SB 752 reflects broader tensions between efforts to curb misinformation and the protection of First Amendment rights. Critics of the bill, including the NRB, see it as a potential tool for censorship, while its supporters likely view it as a necessary update to address online falsehoods. The NRB’s stance builds on its historical mission—formed in 1944 to counter restrictions on evangelical radio broadcasting—to safeguard the free speech rights of its members in governmental, corporate, and media arenas.