Fox News has asked a Delaware court to dismiss a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against it, arguing that it “threatens to stifle the media’s free-speech right to inform the public about newsworthy allegations of paramount public concern.”
The lawsuit filed in March states that Fox News personalities spread lies on air about its voting machines and software that “recklessly disregarded the truth” and resulted in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
In it’s Tuesday filing, Fox News claims the company has failed to back up its allegations of “actual malice.”
“The news media has the right in a democracy to inform citizens by reporting and commenting on a President’s allegations challenging the security of our elections,” court documents state.
“Fox hosts did not create allegations against Dominion, which predate the November 2020 election,” the filing says, citing a pending lawsuit against Dominion in Georgia alleging the machines produce “unaccountable, unverifying” results.
Voting machine maker Smartmatic has also taken legal action against Fox News, which it has also tried to dismiss. After the Smartmatic lawsuit was filed, Lou Dobb’s Trump-friendly, conspiracy theory laden show was canceled.
In April right-wing cable outlet Newsmax settled a defamation suit brought by a Dominion Voting Systems security director Eric Coomer. Newsmax acknowledged it had broadcast voter fraud claims against Coomer and admitted there’s no evidence any of them were true.
More at NPR.
