Huffman Unveils The Ohio Citizen Participation Act

COLUMBUS - State Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima) today held a press conference announcing the Ohio Citizen Participation Act, legislation that would create a new process to protect the First Amendment, ensuring people who speak out on matters of public interest are not unfairly targeted. The Ohio Citizen Participation Act would provide protections to those who engage in specified "protected communications," which is any speech covered under the First Amendment The United States Constitution and the Ohio Constitution protect the right to free speech, however that does not mean citizens and members of the media are fully protected. These individuals and outlets can be the target of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Under Senate Bill 215, if someone is sued for defamation, the process for the dismissal of meritless lawsuits against individuals trying to exercise their right to free speech would be expedited in court. "Ohio needs an anti-SLAPP law," said Huffman. "If we don't continually work to protect our First Amendment rights we are doing a disservice to our citizens and our Constitution." Huffman was joined today by Monica Nieporte, President and Executive Director of the Ohio News Media, as well as Thomas Haren from Frantz Ward. The bill is supported by the ACLU, Americans for Prosperity, the Ohio Broadcasters Association, domestic violence victims advocacy groups and the motion picture industry. "Meritless and expensive defamation suits will no longer be allowed to linger in the courts for years as a way to harass or intimidate citizens and journalists who are engaging in protected speech," said Nieporte. "That’s important for our industry and for encouraging civic engagement and the exchange of opinions.” By enacting the Ohio Citizen Participation Act, Ohio would join more than 30 states have some form of anti-SLAPP law. To watch coverage of today's press conference, click here.