In a major development, Fox News, a prominent American media giant, has been ordered to pay a $787m settlement to Dominion Voting Systems after the latter filed a lawsuit accusing Fox News of knowingly airing false allegations about its voting machines during the 2020 United States presidential election. The lawsuit claimed that Fox News deliberately aired falsehoods to boost its viewership ratings. The allegations were made by then President Donald Trump and his allies, who claimed that Dominion’s voting machines were used to rig the election, resulting in his loss to President Joe Biden.
Dominion initially sought $1.6bn from Fox News for “intentionally and falsely blaming Dominion for President Trump’s loss”. However, the matter has now been resolved with the $787m settlement. Fox News, in its defense, stated that it was only reporting on Trump’s allegations and not supporting them. The media giant also claimed that its coverage was protected under constitutional free speech rights.
On Tuesday, Judge Eric Davis of the Delaware Superior Court informed the 12-member jury that the case had been resolved. Dominion disclosed the settlement figure and its lawyer, Justin Nelson, stated that the settlement “represents vindication and accountability” and that “lies have consequences”. However, Dominion lawyers declined to comment on whether Fox News would apologise publicly or make reforms.
The settlement is a major blow to Fox News and serves as a warning to other media outlets to ensure the accuracy of their reporting. It also highlights the importance of responsible journalism and the need to verify facts before reporting them. The settlement will have a significant financial impact on Fox News and is expected to impact its reputation in the media industry.
The settlement will have significant implications for the media industry and emphasizes the importance of responsible journalism. It serves as a reminder to media outlets to ensure the accuracy of their reporting and to avoid making baseless allegations that could damage the reputation of others