A federal judge late Wednesday issued an injunction against a recently-enacted state law that would鈥檝e imposed stiff penalties on social media companies that de-platform political candidates.
A U.S. District Court ruling issued late Wednesday prevents the state attorney鈥檚 office from enforcing the new rules on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media companies.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure into law in May. It was set to take effect Thursday, July 1.
Judge Robert Hinkle鈥檚 ruling highlights the fact that private companies can鈥檛 infringe upon anyone鈥檚 First Amendment rights. The U.S. Constitution, however, prohibits governments from restricting speech. And that鈥檚 exactly what Hinkle鈥檚 ruling finds the new state law would violate.
Hinkle writes the new law fails to address a 鈥渃ompelling state interest鈥� that would allow the state to restrict the private companies鈥� free speech rights to moderate, remove and post content on their platforms.
Copyright 2021 WFSU. To see more, visit . 9(MDAyNDY5MjM1MDEyODE2MzMyMTZmZDQwMg001))
