Fox News Settles $787.5M Defamation Case: Largest in US History

Fox News Settles Defamation Case Over Election Conspiracy Theories

Fox News has reached a settlement in the historic defamation case brought against them by Dominion Voting Systems. The settlement amount is a staggering $787.5 million, making it the largest publicly known defamation settlement in US history involving a media company.

False Claims and Acknowledgement

In a major pretrial ruling on March 31, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled that all 20 statements mentioned in Dominion’s lawsuit against Fox were false. Fox News has now acknowledged the court’s rulings, stating, “We acknowledge the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false.”

Proving Falsity and Actual Malice

In order to win a defamation case, it is necessary to prove that the statements were false and made with actual malice, which refers to a reckless disregard for the truth. Dominion successfully demonstrated through extensive proof that none of the statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election were true.

Last-Minute Settlement

The settlement papers with Fox were signed just minutes before the agreement was announced, according to Dominion’s co-lead counsel Justin Nelson. Prior to the settlement, Dominion’s attorneys were preparing opening statements for trial, even during a two-and-a-half-hour courtroom delay.

Accountability and Victory

Dominion’s lead counsel, Justin Nelson, stated that the settlement represents a “ringing endorsement for truth and accountability.” He emphasized that the payment of over $787 million by Fox News to Dominion, along with the network’s acknowledgment of false coverage of the 2020 election, sends a strong message of accountability. Nelson also highlighted the importance of the settlement as the first time anyone has “paid a price” for spreading election lies.

Implications for Fox News and Future Cases

While the settlement does not require Fox’s anchors to acknowledge the lies on air, Nelson stated that the texts and emails that emerged during the litigation process from inside the network were valuable. He believes that the settlement shows that there are consequences for spreading lies and sends a strong message to other right-wing outlets involved in ongoing legal disputes with Dominion.

Smartmatic’s Pending Case

Smartmatic, another voting technology company, is suing Fox News for $2.7 billion for defamation. They have stated that their pending case will further expose wrongdoing by the network, following Dominion’s settlement.

Final Thoughts

The settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems marks a significant moment in holding media companies accountable for spreading false information. It underscores the importance of truth, the consequences of lies, and the need for a commitment to facts in order to maintain a healthy democracy.