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Transparency In Technology Act; Status Of Florida's COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

Gov. Ron DeSantis
WILFREDO LEE / ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gov. Ron DeSantis is pictured speaking Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ self-described top priority for the upcoming legislative session is free speech on social media. This week DeSantis, a Republican, proposed the "Transparency in Technology Act," which would fine social media companies if they attempt to block a politician for any reason, following former President Donald Trump being banned on Twitter and Facebook.

“They could potentially de-platform a candidate, suppress a message, and that is something that is OK? I don’t think so,” DeSantis said.

Critics have called the proposal unenforceable and probably unconstitutional.

University of Florida Communications Professor Jasmine McNealy, who is also the associate director of the First Amendment project, joined us with her thoughts on the legislation. Also joining us was Miami Herald Capital Bureau Chief Mary Ellen Klas and Politico’s Gary Fineout.

COVID-19 Vaccinations In Florida

More than 200-thousand Floridians got their first COVID-19 vaccine over the past week. That’s actually 40% fewer people than those who were able to start their vaccination schedule just a week earlier.

Klas and Fineout participated in a wide-ranging discussion on how the vaccination efforts are going across Florida.

Bill joined WJCT News in September of 2017 from The Florida Times-Union, where he served in a variety of multimedia journalism positions.