Fact-Check Article: "Over 30 in administration worked at Fox News that paid $787M for lying"
What We Know
The claim that "over 30 in administration worked at Fox News that paid $787M for lying" is a complex assertion that combines two distinct elements: the financial settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems, and the employment history of individuals in the administration.
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Settlement Details: On April 18, 2023, Fox News agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle a defamation lawsuit. This lawsuit arose from allegations that Fox News had spread false claims regarding the integrity of Dominion's voting machines during the 2020 presidential election. The settlement was reached just before the trial was set to begin, avoiding a public examination of the network's internal communications and practices regarding these claims (Reuters, New York Times).
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Claims of Employment: The assertion about "over 30 in administration" working at Fox News is vague and lacks specific details. There is no publicly available information or credible sources that confirm the employment of over 30 individuals from any specific administration at Fox News.
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Context of the Settlement: The settlement was significant not only for its monetary value but also because it represented an acknowledgment from Fox News that certain claims made about Dominion were false. However, Fox did not issue a formal apology as part of the settlement (CNN, Politico).
Analysis
The claim about the number of individuals from the administration working at Fox News is unsubstantiated and lacks credible evidence.
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Source Reliability: The sources discussing the settlement, such as AP News, Reuters, and CNN, are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, they do not provide any information regarding the employment of individuals from the administration at Fox News.
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Absence of Evidence: The claim about "over 30 in administration" appears to be an assertion without backing from reliable sources. A thorough search of credible news outlets and official statements does not yield any evidence supporting this part of the claim.
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Potential Bias: The claim may stem from a politically charged narrative surrounding Fox News and its coverage of the 2020 election. Without specific names or positions, it is difficult to assess the validity of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified
The claim that "over 30 in administration worked at Fox News that paid $787M for lying" remains unverified due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the employment assertion. While the $787.5 million settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems is factual and well-documented, the specific claim regarding the number of individuals from the administration lacks substantiation and credible sourcing.
Sources
- Fox, Dominion reach $787M settlement over election claims
- Fox settles Dominion lawsuit for $787.5 million over US ...
- Dominion-Fox News Trial: Fox News Settles Defamation ...
- Fox News settles with Dominion for $787 million, averting ...
- Fact Check: FOX news pay $787 million for lying
- Fox News reaches $787.5 million settlement in Dominion’s ...
- Gavin Newsom Sues Fox News For $787 Million
- Fox News and Dominion reach last-minute $787 million ...