Smartmatic Settles Defamation Lawsuit Against OANN
In a recent development, voting machine company Smartmatic has settled its defamation lawsuit against One America News Network (OANN) over claims made following the 2020 election. The lawsuit, which was settled for an undisclosed amount, alleged that OANN spread false fraud claims about Smartmatic, despite the fact that the company’s machines were only used in California during the election.
OANN Lawsuits with Smartmatic and Dominion
Smartmatic also has a separate pending case against Fox News, while Dominion Voting Systems also has ongoing cases against various right-wing defendants over similar fraud claims. Dominion sued OANN for promoting fraud allegations despite knowing they were false, creating an “alternate reality” where Dominion engaged in fraud. The case against OANN has been allowed to move forward by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols.
Fox News Lawsuits with Smartmatic and Dominion
Smartmatic sued Fox News and its anchors Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo for spreading disinformation about the company. Although a judge ruled to allow the lawsuit to proceed against some defendants, an appeals judge later restored claims against anchor Jeanine Pirro. Fox News settled with Dominion for $787.5 million before the case went to trial.
Other Lawsuits and Defendants
Various other defendants, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, Mike Lindell, Patrick Byrne, and Newsmax, are facing defamation lawsuits from Dominion and Smartmatic. These lawsuits seek damages ranging from $1.3 billion to $2.7 billion, with trials set to take place in the coming months.
Implications and Background
The defamation lawsuits stem from right-wing conspiracy theories alleging voter fraud using Dominion and Smartmatic voting machines, claims that have been debunked. Dominion, a major player in the voting machine market, has reported significant financial losses and damage to its reputation due to these false allegations. Smartmatic, while a smaller player, has also faced financial repercussions.
Looking Ahead
The settlement between Smartmatic and OANN is a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding voter fraud claims. With trials against other defendants set to take place in the coming months, the outcomes of these cases could have far-reaching implications for the future of election disinformation and accountability in the media.
Original Story at www.forbes.com – 2024-04-16 07:00:00
