Fox must go on trial to defend its coverage of the 2020 US presidential election, a judge ruled Friday in a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed by voting machine maker Dominion. Denied Cable Network’s attempts to prevent the jury from deciding
In a 130-page opinion, Delaware Judge Eric Davis denied the allegations made by Fox News and its parents. Fox Corporationbut agreed with Dominion’s claim that Dominion’s claims about the device being rigged to steal votes from then-President Donald Trump were false.
“The evidence obtained in this civil suit very clearly shows that none of the Dominion-related statements regarding the 2020 election are true,” Davis wrote.
he added a juror trial Set to begin on April 17, Fox has acted with “actual malice” or “reckless disregard” in repeatedly broadcasting false accusations against Dominion, and whether the company has suffered damage as a result. Decide whether you are covered.
Earlier this week, Dominion was proposed eyewitness list If accepted into court, Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan will be questioned live during the trial, along with Fox primetime stars Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Hartley. Ingraham.
and affidavit In January, Rupert Murdoch told his lawyer he believed some Fox anchors not only broadcast false election claims, but “supported” conspiracy theories being pushed by the Trump campaign. He said that he was
Fox “didn’t just host guests, such as Trump attorney Sidney Powell, who backed false claims that the Dominion machine was being rigged, but rather provided a ‘platform’ for them.” again,” [Dominion] He believed that the election was ‘not stolen’.
Fox’s attorneys argued that the network covered allegations by sitting presidents and that such statements were protected by the First Amendment. But Davis, citing the New York State Court of Appeals, concluded that “accusations of criminal conduct, even in the form of opinions, are not constitutionally protected.”
Following the judge’s decision, Dominion said: We look forward to going to court. “
In a statement, Fox said:
Fox added, “As we move into the next phase of these proceedings, we continue to strongly advocate for our rights to free speech and the freedom of the press.”
