American media giant, Fox News, has been accused of defamation by election technology company, Dominion Voting Systems over its coverage of the 2020 United States presidential election.
Dominion filed its lawsuit in 2021, alleging that Fox News knowingly aired falsehoods about its voting machines in an attempt to boost lagging viewership. Trump and his allies had claimed Dominion’s voting machines were used to rig the 2020 election, resulting in his loss to President Joe Biden.
The voting machine company initially sought $1.6bn from Fox for “intentionally and falsely blaming Dominion for President Trump’s loss.”
Fox reached a $787m settlement and maintained that it was only reporting on Trump’s allegations, not supporting them, and that its coverage was protected under constitutional free speech rights.
Judge Eric Davis of the Delaware Superior Court on Tuesday informed the selected 12-member jury that the parties have resolved their case.
Dominion disclosed the settlement figure on Tuesday, and its lawyer, Justin Nelson, said the settlement “represents vindication and accountability” and that “lies have consequences”.
Dominion lawyers declined to answer questions about whether Fox News would apologise publicly or make reforms.
