Trail Starts Today - Dominion Accuses Fox News of Purposefully Spreading Lies About 2020 Election Results
Today, the high-stakes defamation lawsuit between Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News will begin in a courtroom in Wilmington, Delaware. Dominion is suing Fox and its parent company Fox Corporation for $1.6 billion for knowingly spreading false claims about its voting equipment after the 2020 election.
Overview
This lawsuit is one of the most powerful efforts to hold the news network accountable for their role in spreading lies regarding the election. The six-week trial will feature witnesses such as Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, Fox anchors Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Maria Bartiromo, and Jeanine Pirro. The case will also have implications beyond this specific lawsuit, as experts say it could significantly impact the freedom of the press in the US.
Jury Selection
Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on Tuesday, followed by opening arguments. Both sides were reportedly in negotiations for a settlement to avoid a trial. However, the case has now moved forward and is likely to be a major media event.
Dominion's Case
At the heart of Dominion's case is evidence that Fox knew the claims about Dominion were false. Internal messages from Fox hosts and executives show that they were aware that the accusations from Sidney Powell were false. Dominion also says they have a high bar to clear to win the case, but they believe they have enough evidence to show that Fox acted with "actual malice", knowing the claims were false, or they acted with reckless disregard the truth.
Impact on the Media
The resolution of this case will have wider implications for media in the US. For example, if Fox were to win the case, it would set a high bar for defamation suits against news organizations. Conversely, if Dominion were to prevail, it would show that there is still accountability even in the face of the high bar plaintiffs must clear.
Additional Challenges
Fox is already facing other legal challenges that have stemmed from the trial. Judge Davis has said he will appoint a special master to investigate whether Fox failed to disclose relevant evidence. Fox has also apologized for not disclosing Rupert Murdoch's position as an officer at Fox News until last week. In addition, Abby Grossman, a former Fox News employee is suing the network, claiming she was coerced into giving misleading testimony.
The defamation lawsuit between Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News is set to begin Today in a Delaware courtroom. This high-stakes trial could have long-lasting implications on the media industry in the US and is set to be a major media event.
