Many conservatives noted that The Washington Post issued a misleading headline on Thursday that mischaracterizes the contents of a bill signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The legislation, HB 233, “requires state colleges and universities to conduct annual assessments of the viewpoint diversity and intellectual freedom at their institutions to ensure that Florida’s postsecondary students will be shown diverse ideas and opinions, including those that they may disagree with or find uncomfortable.” DeSantis signed the legislation on Wednesday in addition to two other bills aimed at boosting civics education requirements throughout the state at all levels.
While the surveys are mandatory for the schools to offer, students are not required to complete them.
However, The Post elected to characterize the legislation as a “mandate” of each student to express their beliefs.
Harvard Law Graduate and former Advisor to President Trump A.J. Delgado highlighted this point when criticizing The Post for characterization.
“WRONG. It only mandates that schools issue surveys which students are free to complete or not, asking if they feel free to express their own beliefs and viewpoints while on campus and in the classroom. It’s not a survey ‘requiring students’ to reveal their actual beliefs,” she said.
WRONG.
It only mandates that schools issue surveys which students are free to complete or not, asking if they feel free their own beliefs and viewpoints while on campus and in the classroom.
It's not a survey 'requiring students' to reveal their actual 'beliefs'.— A.J. Delgado (@AJDelgado13) June 24, 2021
She also added that Governor DeSantis has repeatedly been the target of apparent media “hits” such as this one.
“This is false. Why is it the media always gets the @RonDeSantisFL breathless headlines… wrong?” she questioned.
This is false.
Why is it the media always gets the @RonDeSantisFL breathless headlines… wrong? https://t.co/ciKtbdKqGW— A.J. Delgado (@AJDelgado13) June 24, 2021
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, DeSantis was repeatedly challenged by the national media for his response in containing the spread of the virus.
However, even though the state did not engage in complete lockdowns like many others, the death rate among residents remained relatively lower that states such as California or New York.
— — —
Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
