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AG (Attention Getter)

As Kate McKinnon says in the critically acclaimed movie, "Bombshell", "Ask yourself, what would scare my grandmother and piss of my grandfather? That's a Fox story." While this may be for the purpose of comedic relief in a serious movie about sexual misconduct allegations at Fox News, the joke isn't far off the mark from reality.

BG (Background)

Fox News is a conservative-based media network known for their share of extreme views, questionable guests and sometimes hosts. They are also known for their handling of various controversies surronding the network and their supporters, and for their widespread false claims of election fraud occuring in the 2020 presidential election.

Q (Question)

Is the Dominion lawsuit a threat to Fox News' operations?

Answer (Summary Of Speech)

While it's certainly possible that there could be implications for Fox as a result of the lawsuit, it seems very unlikely. This is because Fox has faced many legal challenges before, and we can't expect anything different this time. Also, they can use the argument that they are "entertainment", not news, as a sort of protection against any claims of misinformation. And even if the courts rule against the network, there won't be major legal consequences for the corporation.

R1 (First Reason)

Fox News has faced many challenges before, legal and otherwise. They have continuously dealt with criticism or boycotts from public figures, whether it be politicians, actors, or activists. They also have a clear right-wing bias and have promoted other conspiracies, but these don't seem to have a negative effect on the network. Ad Fontes Media shows that Fox is one of the most extreme media organizations for their right-wing bias and lack of credibility as a whole. However, this actually helps Fox retain their viewer base. Another example of a scandal that had little effect on the company as a whole was when Fox head Roger Ailes faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct/harassment, and as a result the Murdochs fired him and the company moved on unscathed.

R2 (Second Reason)

Fox is an "entertainment-first" network. The Intercept 8/29/22 explains that several courts have ruled that it is clear Fox "intentionally avoids the truth" in their coverage, particularly surronding the 2020 elections. There have been other cases directly involving Fox hosts and personalities like Tucker Carlson or Bill O'Reilly, and these hosts have plainly admitted that Fox is for entertainment, not truthful news. The network can use this as a defense by saying that they can't be spreading misinformation if their viewers are aware it isn't true.

R3 (Third Reason)

Even if Fox is found to have done wrong, there will be no major legal consequences. Reuters 2/16/2023 explains that Dominion Voting Systems is pursuing a reported $1.6 billion in damages against Fox. But the reality is, Fox is worth over ten times this amount, at around $22 billion, so the company could continue on without notable sufferings. This would only encourage hard-core viewers to watch more Fox as the network would certainly paint the suit as an "attack" on free speech. Also, it's clear that the company would rather pay damges than shut down or admit wrongdoing.

C (Conclusion)

So we see that Fox News likely won't have to alter it's operations at all as a result of the Dominion lawsuit. Even if Dominion wins, Fox will live on. Rupert Murdoch constructed a media empire built to withstand accusations, or in this scenario legal cases, and they only have a small effect on the company.