Dominion Settles With Fox News

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Facts

  • Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reached a $787.5M settlement agreement Tuesday afternoon, averting a high-profile trial putting one of the world's top media companies in the crosshairs over its coverage of highly controversial vote-rigging claims in the 2020 US election.1
  • The resolution follows a recent summary judgment by Judge Eric Davis which allowed the case to go to trial.2
  • Lawyers and media waited in the courtroom for more than two hours after opening statements were slated to begin on Tuesday afternoon. Davis reentered the courtroom just before 4 p.m. to announce the settlement with the lead attorneys on the case following close behind.3
  • Following the settlement's announcement, Dominion CEO John Poulos said "Fox has admitted to telling lies." Meanwhile, Fox is "pleased to have reached a settlement," adding that it acknowledges the Court's finding that some of the network's claims about Dominion were false.4
  • The resolution came after the jury had sat but before opening statements began. The amount is significantly less than the $1.6B Dominion demanded.3
  • On Sunday, the Delaware Superior Court judge overseeing the lawsuit against Fox News announced the start of the trial would be postponed from Monday to Tuesday. Judge Davis didn’t provide a reason for the delay.5

Sources: 1Reuters, 2Associated Press, 3NBC, 4CNN, and 5Guardian.

Narratives

  • Right narrative, as provided by PJ Media. The left’s assault on the First Amendment is unrelenting and it’s up to those who know the importance of free speech in the US to defend against attacks like this lawsuit. If Dominion had prevailed, media organizations and publishers would be liable for anything guests on their platforms say or write.
  • Left narrative, as provided by CNN. Free speech is not limitless. The political right might build its business model around selling false narratives to its supporters, but cases like this are part of the accountability infrastructure that ensures truth in reporting and an accurately informed citizenry.