Fact Check: "Fox News paid a $787.5 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit."
What We Know
On April 18, 2023, Fox News reached a settlement of $787.5 million with Dominion Voting Systems, effectively resolving a defamation lawsuit that accused the network of spreading false claims about the 2020 presidential election. This settlement was announced just as the trial was set to begin, with the judge confirming that the parties had "resolved their case" and dismissed the jury (AP News) [source-1]. Dominion had initially sought $1.6 billion in damages, arguing that Fox's reporting had severely harmed its reputation (Reuters) [source-2].
Fox News acknowledged the court's previous rulings that found certain claims about Dominion to be false, although it did not issue a formal apology (BBC) [source-3]. The settlement is significant, representing about one-quarter of Fox's reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization for the previous year (AP News) [source-1].
Analysis
The claim that Fox News paid a $787.5 million settlement is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The Associated Press, Reuters, and BBC all reported the same figure and context surrounding the settlement, indicating a high level of agreement among credible news outlets (AP News) [source-1], (Reuters) [source-2], (BBC) [source-3].
The reliability of these sources is generally strong, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The Associated Press, for instance, is known for its rigorous journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. Furthermore, the settlement's timing—just before the trial was set to commence—adds credibility to the claim, as it suggests that both parties were motivated to avoid the uncertainties of a public trial.
However, it is important to note that while Fox News has acknowledged the court's findings regarding false claims, the absence of a formal apology and the context of the settlement—avoiding a potentially damaging trial—suggests that the implications of this case extend beyond mere financial compensation (BBC) [source-3].
Conclusion
The claim that "Fox News paid a $787.5 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reached a settlement of this amount to resolve the defamation lawsuit, thereby avoiding a trial that could have further exposed the network's practices and statements regarding the 2020 election.
