The Fox News-Dominion Voting Systems Lawsuit Heads to Trial
After a judge denied granting a summary judgement to Fox News, the cable network’s $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems will proceed to trial in mid-April. Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis ruled in favor of Dominion, agreeing that the challenged statements made by Fox News are false. This decision spares Dominion from having to litigate numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election during the trial, which sets Dominion against Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corp.
The upcoming trial will task the jury with determining whether Fox News acted with intent as it repeatedly promoted false claims and conspiracy theories about the election and Dominion’s electronic voting machines. They will also be responsible for deciding if damages are owed to Dominion and assessing Fox News’ publication of the defamatory statements. In response to the judge’s ruling, a Dominion spokesperson expressed satisfaction, stating, “We are gratified by the Court’s thorough ruling soundly rejecting all of Fox’s arguments and defenses and finding as a matter of law that their statements about Dominion are false. We look forward to going to trial.”
Fox News, in their own statement, reiterated their commitment to upholding the First Amendment rights of the media to cover news. They emphasized that the case revolves around protecting free speech and a free press as they navigate the next phase of the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, a Dominion spokesperson countered Fox News’ defense, noting that the Court has dismissed their First Amendment ‘newsworthy allegation’ defense and affirmed that Dominion’s lawsuit aligns with the principles of the First Amendment.
This lawsuit marks the latest controversy for the conservative cable channel, potentially being the most damaging. Previously, Fox News has dealt with allegations of sexual harassment against former CEO Roger Ailes and the revelation of significant payouts made to silence accusers of former Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly. The network has faced various challenges over the years, but the Dominion lawsuit presents a significant legal battle that will unfold in the coming months.
Original Story at ca.movies.yahoo.com – 2024-05-12 23:55:56
