The network settled a lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems by paying nearly $800 million. Dominion Voting Systems accused Fox News of promoting false information about the 2020 presidential election. The settlement was announced just as the trial was about to begin, and it averts the possibility of Fox News founders Rupert Murdoch and network stars like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity having to testify publicly.
Dominion’s attorney, Justin Nelson, emphasized the importance of truth and the consequences of lies after the settlement was announced. While Fox News acknowledged that the court found specific claims about Dominion false, the network did not apologize. Fox News hoped the amicable resolution would help the country overcome these issues.
The settlement amount is significant, representing about a quarter of the $2.96 billion Fox News reported earning last year. This case and a $965 million judgment against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for false information about the Sandy Hook school shooting highlight the financial risk for conservative media outlets that promote conspiracy theories.
Dominion had sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, accusing the network of damaging the company’s reputation by spreading false conspiracy theories about its voting machines. In settling for about half of that amount, Dominion has achieved its goals of holding Fox News accountable for its lies and obtaining compensation for the damage to its business.
It is unclear what the settlement’s financial impact on Dominion is, as the company has yet to release its recent earnings. The outcome of the case preserves the current high level of legal protection for news organizations against defamation lawsuits, which some conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have attacked.
Fox News still faces a defamation lawsuit from another voting technology company, Smartmatic.
Fox News still faces a defamation lawsuit from another voting technology company, Smartmatic, due to its settlement with Dominion Voting Systems. The company’s lawyer, Erik Connolly, stated that Dominion’s litigation had exposed some of the misconduct and damage caused by Fox News’ disinformation campaign, and Smartmatic’s lawsuit aims to expose the rest.
The outcomes of these lawsuits could have a broader impact on conservative media outlets that traffic in conspiracy theories, potentially serving as a deterrent against spreading false information. However, it remains uncertain whether these financial consequences will be enough to discourage the promotion of conspiracy theories in the future.
The $787 million settlement is a significant victory for Dominion Voting Systems and may serve as a cautionary tale for other media outlets that choose to promote false information. This case also highlights the ongoing debate surrounding defamation lawsuits and the protection of news organizations, as some conservatives argue for making it easier to win a libel case.
While Fox News has agreed to pay a substantial sum to settle the Dominion lawsuit, it is essential to note that the network did not issue a formal apology. In the future, it will be crucial to monitor how this settlement influences Fox News’ reporting and the broader media landscape regarding responsibility and accountability for promoting false information.
