LONDON, April 19, 2023 /Business/ — Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million on April 18, 2023, just hours before opening statements were scheduled to begin in a defamation trial. The settlement was the largest ever in a defamation case involving a media company.
There are several possible reasons why Fox News agreed to settle. First, the network was facing a strong case. Dominion had already won several key rulings in the case, including one that found that Fox News had defamed the company. A jury was also likely to find in Dominion’s favor, and a large verdict could have been devastating for Fox News.
Second, the settlement allowed Fox News to avoid a long and embarrassing trial. The trial would have been highly publicized, and it would have put Fox News under intense scrutiny. The network was also concerned about the possibility of a jury finding that it had intentionally defamed Dominion, which could have led to even larger damages.
Third, the settlement was likely seen as a good business decision. Fox News is a for-profit company, and it was likely concerned about the financial impact of a long and costly trial. The settlement allowed the network to avoid these costs and to put the case behind it.
The settlement was a major victory for Dominion Voting Systems. The company had been falsely accused of rigging the 2020 election, and the settlement will help to clear its name. The settlement also sends a message to other media companies that they will be held accountable for spreading false information.