Huge & Very Expensive Court Ruling Against Fox News In Dominion Case

In a surprising turn of events, a judge has denied Fox News' request to dismiss the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit filed against them by Dominion. The ruling by Delaware Superior Court judge Eric Davis means that the case will proceed to trial unless a settlement is reached.

Fox News had argued that their hosts and guests were protected by the First Amendment and that Dominion had failed to prove malicious intent or damages. However, the judge did not buy these arguments, stating that Fox News had presented false statements as facts, not opinions.

Dominion accused Fox News of perpetuating a "manufactured storyline" about them rigging the 2020 election for Joe Biden. They provided evidence of 20 statements made by Fox News that they claimed constituted defamation. The judge agreed, ruling that these statements were not protected speech and were found to be lies.

This ruling is significant because surviving a motion to dismiss in a defamation case is rare and difficult. Truth is often a defense in defamation cases, and if Fox News had presented evidence to support their claims, the case could have been dismissed. However, the judge found that Fox News had failed to provide any evidence to support their false claims.

The ruling also highlights the issue of opinion privilege. Typically, in a motion to dismiss, defendants can argue that their statements were merely their opinion and not defamatory. However, the judge determined that Fox News had presented their false statements as facts, not opinions, and therefore, opinion privilege did not apply.

The Potential Impact on Fox News

The denial of their motion to dismiss is a significant blow to Fox News and could have far-reaching consequences for the network. The $1.6 billion lawsuit could potentially jeopardize the future of Fox News if they are unable to reach a settlement or win the trial. The amount they may have to pay in damages could significantly impact their financial stability.

Furthermore, this ruling exposes the motivations behind Fox News' actions following the 2020 election. It suggests that they knowingly spread false information to retain their audience and prevent them from going to competing networks like Newsmax. The judge's ruling implies that Fox News prioritized profits and audience loyalty over the truth, which is both cowardly and greedy.

The Significance of Surviving the Motion to Dismiss

While surviving a motion to dismiss is generally not newsworthy, this case is an exception for two reasons. Firstly, defamation cases are often easily dismissed if the defendant can prove the truth of their statements. In this case, the judge found that Fox News had presented no evidence to support their false claims, which is a significant factor in favor of Dominion.

Secondly, the ruling on opinion privilege is notable. In most cases, a defendant could argue that their statements were their opinion and thus protected speech. However, the judge determined that Fox News had presented their false statements as facts, stripping them of the protection of opinion privilege.

The Potential Impact on Fox News' Reputation and Finances

Typically, defamation cases often end in settlements, with the amount paid depending on the progress and outcome of the trial. However, the judge's ruling has likely increased the potential financial impact on Fox News. Dominion's legal victory on the issues of falsity and surviving the motion to dismiss suggests that the damages Fox News may have to pay could be substantial.

While the exact amount of damages and whether the case will settle before trial remains uncertain, there is no doubt that this ruling has dealt a significant blow to Fox News. Their reputation and financial stability are at stake, and the public is watching closely to see how this high-profile case unfolds.

In conclusion, the judge's decision to reject Fox News' attempt to dismiss the Dominion lawsuit has major implications for the network. The ruling exposes their alleged dissemination of false information and prioritization of profits over the truth. The survival of the motion to dismiss and the denial of opinion privilege could have far-reaching consequences for both Fox News' reputation and finances. The trial's outcome will be closely watched as it could potentially shape the future of Fox News.