7/27 – Kristen Hentschel, a Florida-based television field producer, filed a lawsuit against Jeffrey Pitts, McNicholas & Associates, NPR, and Floodlight. The complaint alleged defamation, tortious interference, and invasion of privacy, claiming the defendants orchestrated false media narratives that harmed her professional reputation and cost her freelance work.

Hentschel asserted that Pitts and his affiliated PR firm leaked misleading and private information to NPR and Floodlight, which then published stories allegedly portraying her as a covert operative. The media defendants moved to dismiss under Florida’s anti-SLAPP statute, arguing the lawsuit targeted constitutionally protected journalism.

Earlier this month, the court granted the News Media Defendants’ Joint Motion to Dismiss, finding that Hentschel’s claims against NPR and Floodlight were barred as a matter of law. The court concluded the reporting was protected speech on matters of public concern. The case remains pending against the non-media defendants.