Headline: Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems Reach Settlement, Ending Defamation Dispute
News Summary: Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems concluded their two-year defamation controversy in an eleventh-hour settlement on Tuesday, with a payment exceeding $787 million from Fox News, marking a significant blow to the right-wing network's standing. The settlement, the largest defamation compensation involving a media company in U.S. history, was declared shortly after the jury was impaneled at the Delaware Superior Court.
The proceedings unexpectedly paused for nearly three hours following a lunch recess, fueling speculation of a potential settlement. Judge Eric Davis later confirmed the resolution, commending both parties' attorneys and attributing the settlement's impetus to the jury. The settlement was lauded by Dominion as a triumph for truth and democracy.
In a press statement, Fox News acknowledged the court's findings that certain claims about Dominion were unsubstantiated, referring to a recent judgment that 20 Fox News broadcasts from late 2020 contained unfounded allegations that Dominion manipulated the presidential election. Despite this, Fox will not be required to confess on-air that it disseminated falsehoods about Dominion.
The payment, nearly half of the $1.6 billion initially demanded by Dominion, is approximately ten times the company's 2018 valuation and eight times its 2021 annual revenue. The settlement also concludes the high-profile case, sparing top Fox News executives and personalities from testifying about their 2020 election coverage, which was rife with unfounded claims of voter fraud.
The case's discovery process unearthed private admissions from Fox Corporation's Rupert Murdoch, his son, Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, among others, that the vote-rigging claims against Dominion were baseless. In spite of these private admissions, the fabrications were broadcast.
By agreeing to a settlement, Fox News has avoided a potentially damaging trial that could have further exposed its dishonesty. "This settlement reflects Fox's continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards," Fox News stated, expressing hope that this resolution would allow the country to move forward.
Despite the settlement, Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, continue to deny defaming Dominion and consider the lawsuit an unwarranted attack on press freedom.
With the Dominion case concluded, Fox News still faces a separate defamation lawsuit from Smartmatic, another vote technology company defamed on Fox News' programs post the 2020 election. Additionally, Dominion has ongoing lawsuits against right-wing TV networks Newsmax and OAN, and Trump allies Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and Mike Lindell, all of whom deny any misconduct.