The Fox Corp and Fox News are facing a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems over the network’s coverage of false claims that the ballot-counter company rigged the 2020 presidential election. The trial, which is one of the most closely watched U.S. media trials in decades, is set to begin in a Delaware court on Tuesday.
Timeline Leading up to the Trial:
November 3, 2020 – Fox becomes the first media outlet to call the crucial swing state of Arizona for Democrat Joe Biden, drawing the ire of then-President Donald Trump and his allies.
November 8, 2020 – Fox invites Trump ally Sidney Powell on air for the first time, where she falsely accuses Dominion of fraud and flipping votes in Biden’s favor.
November 13, 2020 – Fox’s internal fact-checking unit determines there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the election or major problems with Dominion’s systems.
November 15, 2020 – Fox’s daytime average audience sees a 35% decline since the eve of the election, while viewership at right-wing competitors soared.
November 2020 onward – Audits and investigations by election authorities find no evidence of vote-tampering, and Dominion demands retractions from Fox multiple times.
December 2020 to January 2021 – Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani make repeated appearances on Fox to spread false election conspiracy theories.
March 26, 2021 – Dominion sues Fox News in Delaware Superior Court, followed by a separate lawsuit against Fox Corp eight months later. The cases are eventually consolidated.
December 16, 2021 – Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis denies Fox’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Legal Developments:
March 31, 2023 – Judge Davis rules that the statements aired on Fox were false, defamatory, and not protected by the First Amendment. Fox is left to dispute Dominion’s damages claim and argue it did not intentionally defame the company.
April 12, 2023 – Fox is sanctioned by Judge Davis for failing to turn over relevant recordings and transcripts until the eve of trial.
April 16, 2023 – The trial is delayed by one day as Fox and Dominion engage in last-minute settlement talks.
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for both Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems, as the legal battle over defamation continues to unfold in the Delaware court. Stay tuned for further updates on this high-profile case.
Original Story at ca.movies.yahoo.com – 2024-06-01 11:51:23
