Fact Check: FOX news pay $787 million for lying

Fact Check: "FOX News pays $787 million for lying"

What We Know

On April 18, 2023, Fox News reached a settlement with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million in a defamation lawsuit. This settlement was made just before the trial was set to begin, effectively averting a public trial that could have exposed the network's promotion of false claims regarding the 2020 presidential election (AP News). Dominion had accused Fox of damaging its reputation by spreading conspiracy theories that claimed its voting machines switched votes from Donald Trump to Joe Biden (Reuters). The settlement was significant, representing a substantial portion of Fox's reported earnings for the previous year (AP News).

Analysis

The claim that Fox News paid $787 million for lying is substantiated by the settlement agreement reached with Dominion Voting Systems. The lawsuit was a direct response to Fox's coverage of the 2020 election, which Dominion argued was defamatory and based on falsehoods (AP News, Reuters).

Dominion's lawyer, Justin Nelson, emphasized the importance of truth, stating, "The truth matters. Lies have consequences," which underscores the implications of the settlement (AP News). Fox's acknowledgment of the court's findings that certain claims about Dominion were false further supports the claim that they were held accountable for disseminating misinformation (AP News).

However, it is worth noting that Fox did not issue a formal apology as part of the settlement, which some critics argue diminishes the accountability aspect of the agreement (VICE). The settlement also raises questions about the financial implications for Fox, as they may be able to mitigate the costs through tax deductions (AP News).

Overall, while the settlement is a significant financial penalty, the lack of a formal apology and the potential for financial maneuvering by Fox complicate the narrative of accountability.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Fox News did indeed pay $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Systems as part of a settlement in a defamation lawsuit related to false claims about the 2020 presidential election. The settlement was reached to avoid a trial that could have further exposed the network's actions and statements regarding the election. The evidence clearly supports the claim, although the broader implications of accountability remain nuanced.