US Dominion, Inc. v. Fox News Network, LLC: Defamation Lawsuits in the Media
Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson announced his departure from the station on Monday, April 24, 2023 [1]. This came as a surprise to many, as Carlson was one of the top news personalities at Fox News and a prominent public figure. His show: Tucker Carlson Tonight, was one of the most watched programs on the network [1]. He had worked for Fox News since 2009, up until his departure in 2023 [3].
Carlson left the station only a few days after a settlement was reached in the lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems [1]. This is not the first time Fox Corp., or another prominent media organization was being sued for defamation. This case was centered on what much of the news has been filled with for the past three years: the 2020 presidential election [3]. However, it is important to note that Carlson was not being sued, rather claims he made during his programs were being cited as defamation in the case [3].
Dominion Voting Systems was suing Fox News parent company, Fox Corp., for defamation regarding statements made about the manipulation of votes to alter election results [3]. Fox claimed that the Dominion Voting Systems machines were rigged to miscount votes, therefore destroying the integrity of the election. [3].
While Carlson only recently left Fox News, this lawsuit has been an ongoing process dating two years back. On March 26, 2021, Dominion began the defamation suit against Fox News, and a few months later expanded the suit to include Fox Corp. and Fox Broadcasting Company [3].
On their website, Dominion stated the following, “Lies and misinformation have severely damaged our company and diminished the credibility of U.S. elections, subjecting hardworking public officials and Dominion employees to harassment and death threats” [2].
After a nearly two year legal battle, Fox News paid $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems as a settlement to the lawsuit [1]. They recanted their claims of voter fraud in the 2020 Presidential election caused by Dominion voting machines [3]. Dominion originally requested Fox pay $1.6 million in damages, making this settlement a surprise for all involved [3].
Dominion continuously fought Fox News to get compensation for the false and harmful claims made by their organization. Throughout press releases and media reports, it was clear Dominion was not suing for trivial reasons, but rather to emphasize the importance of accurate fact-based reporting in the media.
CEO of Dominion, John Poulos, spoke to the media outside the court after the settlement was reached, claiming, “throughout this process we have sought accountability and believed the evidence brought to light through this case underscored the consequences of spreading lies”. He went on to highlight that,“truthful reporting in the media is essential to our democracy” [1].
News outlets want views, and the easiest way to garner viewership is through eye-catching titles. A headline accusing an established company of rigging a presidential election would catch the attention of many viewers, as opposed to something more mundane. In an internet-based society where technology is only becoming more popular, news organizations are fighting for viewership and engagement. The increase of inaccurate claims perpetuated by news outlets, while frustrating and harmful, are not surprising.
