A federal judge in Florida has granted a temporary restraining order against the state's surgeon general in a dispute over a pro-abortion rights television ad. The controversy arose when the Florida health department threatened criminal charges against broadcasters airing the ad by the group Floridians Protecting Freedom.
The ad, part of the 'Yes on 4 Campaign,' features a brain cancer survivor named Caroline who shares her story of needing a life-saving abortion that would have been prevented by Florida's six-week abortion ban. The state health department deemed the ad's claims as 'false' and 'dangerous.'
The health department's general counsel sent cease-and-desist letters to TV stations airing the ad, prompting Floridians Protecting Freedom to file a lawsuit citing 'unconstitutional coercion and viewpoint discrimination.' The federal judge sided with the group, stating that the threats amounted to 'viewpoint discrimination' and violated their First Amendment rights.
The judge's order, valid through October 29, prohibits the surgeon general from intimidating local stations for airing the ad. This decision follows the resignation of the health department's general counsel, who did not mention the ad controversy in his resignation letter.
While the health department maintains that the ad is false and detrimental to public health, some medical experts disagree. Physicians for Human Rights have criticized Florida's abortion ban, stating that it endangers patients and clinicians and leads to preventable suffering.
Despite the health department's threats, some TV stations have continued to air the ad, with support from the Democratic chair of the FCC, who condemned threats against broadcasters airing content that conflicts with the government's views as undermining free speech.
