Religious Broadcasters Oppose Florida Bill, Cite 'Lawfare' Risk

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) has voiced strong opposition to a bill currently under consideration by Florida lawmakers. The NRB argues that the proposed legislation carries a "very real possibility of weaponizing a wave of lawfare against Christian broadcasters." In a statement, the organization warned that the bill could be exploited to launch frivolous lawsuits against religious media outlets, effectively silencing their voices through costly legal battles.

The NRB's concerns center around the potential for the bill to be interpreted in a way that allows individuals or groups to challenge the content broadcast by Christian organizations. They argue that such challenges, even if ultimately unsuccessful, could drain the resources of these broadcasters and create a chilling effect on their ability to freely express their views. The term "lawfare" refers to the strategic use of legal systems and institutions to intimidate or delegitimize an opponent.

While the specific provisions of the bill that are causing concern were not detailed in the NRB's initial statement, the organization has indicated that it plans to engage directly with Florida lawmakers to advocate for changes that would protect religious freedom and prevent the potential for "lawfare." The bill is currently being debated in committee, and its future remains uncertain. Supporters of the bill have not yet publicly addressed the NRB's allegations.