The satirical website Babylon Bee has officially decided to push back. After California’s recent online speech laws, which many view as dangerously overreaching, the Babylon Bee has filed a motion against California Attorney General Robert Bonta. The motion seeks an immediate halt to what the Bee’s supporters are calling unconstitutional restrictions. Key laws like AB 2355, AB 2655, and AB 2839 are at the center of this fight, each accused of chipping away at First Amendment protections.
One of the most contested laws, AB 2839, was recently ruled unconstitutional by U.S. District Court Judge John A. Mendez. He noted that the law “acts as a hammer instead of a scalpel” and directly “hinders humorous expression.”
In an exclusive interview with Blaze News, Kristen Waggoner from the Alliance Defending Freedom expressed her concerns about the growing threat to free speech.
“California’s laws are a roadmap for widespread censorship. They use vague standards to punish people for posting certain political memes online,” Waggoner explained. “If Americans can be sued for posting, or even reposting political jokes, then we do not live in a free society.”
The situation is only becoming more intense, as various laws under Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration have drawn backlash for targeting online content.
Deepfake Law Raises Alarm Bells
Perhaps the most concerning of these laws is AB 2655, also known as the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024. According to the bill’s digest, the law prohibits anyone from distributing deceptive audio or visual media about a political candidate within 60 days of an election. If the content is aimed at harming a candidate’s reputation or misleading voters, it can be deemed illegal.
The law also places responsibility on large online platforms, requiring them to block deceptive content both before and after elections. This is where the line between safeguarding democracy and stifling free speech becomes increasingly blurred.
Waggoner is particularly alarmed by the broad nature of these laws.
“The laws censor parody and satire,” she continued. “When Governor Newsom signed the laws, he said publicly that [California] made it illegal to post a parody video about Kamala Harris. So even Governor Newsom thinks the laws ban satire.”
Freedom of Expression in Danger
Under these new California regulations, social media platforms must also set up reporting systems that allow residents to flag content they believe hasn’t been properly blocked or labeled. Critics argue this turns platforms into de facto gatekeepers of political speech, creating a chilling effect on free expression.
Waggoner didn’t hold back, noting the long-term implications for American society if these laws continue to expand unchecked.
“In a free society, individuals must be able to express political beliefs without fear of being dragged into court to defend a meme. And we shouldn’t trust politicians like Gavin Newsom to be arbiters of political truth online.”
Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, defended the laws, saying the administration is confident that the courts will uphold them, citing the growing threat of deepfakes.
“Deepfakes threaten the integrity of our elections, and these new laws protect our democracy while preserving free speech,” Gardon stated.
The Fight for Humor and Free Speech
As the battle continues, Babylon Bee and its supporters remain determined to protect their right to use satire as a form of political commentary. With the legal challenge to AB 2839 already a victory for free speech advocates, the coming months could set critical precedents for how humor, satire, and free speech are treated in the online world.
