In a move that critics are calling a flagrant abuse of power, Florida’s Department of Health is threatening to bring criminal charges against local TV stations airing a campaign ad to overturn the state’s six-week abortion ban signed by Gov.

U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday denounced threats made by a Florida agency against broadcast TV stations for airing advertisements in support of an abortion rights referendum.

The chairwoman of the FCC is condemning Florida state health officials following a report that they have sent a cease and desist letter to a local station over its airing of a pro-abortion rights ad.

Rosenworcel said that the threats by a Florida state agency “undermine the fundamental principle of free speech”

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on Tuesday denounced threats made by a Florida agency against broadcast TV stations for airing advertisements in support of an abortion rights referendum.

“The right of broadcasters to speak freely is rooted in the First Amendment,” FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. “Threats against broadcast stations for airing content that conflicts with the government’s views are dangerous and undermine the fundamental principle of free speech.”

Threats against broadcast stations for airing content that conflicts with the government’s views are dangerous and undermine the fundamental principle of free speech,” the FCC chairwoman said.

Florida’s Department of Health is threatening local television stations with criminal prosecution if they continue airing an ad in support of an abortion-rights ballot initiative. The agency earlier this month sent cease-and-desist letters to every television station in the state that aired the ad,