Judge Warns Florida's Health Chief Against Intimidating TV Stations Over Abortion Ads

Judge Blocks Florida Surgeon General from Threatening TV Stations Over Abortion-Rights Ad

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A U.S. District Judge, Mark Walker, has ruled against Florida's surgeon general, preventing any further threats to TV stations regarding the airing of an abortion-rights advertisement produced by Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF). The advertisement supports a ballot measure aimed at adding abortion rights to Florida's state constitution, which is set for a vote on November 5.

The lawsuit was initiated by FPF following a letter from State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and former health department lawyer John Wilson, which claimed the ad was "false" and "dangerous," suggesting it could lead to criminal proceedings. The judge emphasized that the government cannot censor political speech, declaring, “it’s the First Amendment, stupid.”

The lawsuit came after around 50 TV stations received the aggressive letter, prompting at least one to stop airing the commercial. FPF contended that the state's assertions about the advertisement were untrue, particularly a statement made by a woman about receiving an abortion after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, which she alleged would not be legal under current laws.

The judge’s order prohibits the state from taking action until a scheduled hearing on October 29. This ballot measure is part of a larger national trend, with a campaign that has reportedly spent approximately $160 million on advertising efforts. It seeks to mandate a 60% voter approval to override existing state laws that limit abortions to the first six weeks of pregnancy, a timeframe often before women are even aware of their pregnancy.

Governor Ron DeSantis' administration has consistently opposed the ballot initiative.