Bill To Prevent Social Media Censorship Approved By Florida House Committee

WUSF

Published March 16, 2021 at 11:29 AM CDT

“We need transparency, accountability and consistency,” Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill (left) says the bill to prevent social media censorship.

In a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, a House committee Monday approved a bill designed to crack down on social media companies that block users from their platforms.

The House Appropriations Committee voted 19-8 to approve the measure (HB 7013), sponsored by Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill.

The proposal came after decisions by Twitter and Facebook to block former President Donald Trump from their platforms in January after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to try to prevent certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.

In part, the bill would prevent social media sites from blocking political candidates in Florida from platforms. It also would require the companies to publish standards about issues such as blocking users and apply the standards consistently.

“We need transparency, accountability and consistency,” Ingoglia said.

But some opponents said they think the bill would violate the companies’ constitutional rights. They raised concerns about violating the First Amendment and whether the state has the authority to regulate such issues.

“This is broke. I just don’t know whether it is in our purview to fix it,” Rep. Joe Geller, D-Aventura, said.