California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed suit – his own – against Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corp. Delaware. Newsom first announced the legal action in a tweet, declaring in no uncertain terms, “No more bullshit.” The lawsuit seeks damages nearly equivalent to the amount that Fox Corp. and its cable networks recently agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems to settle a defamation suit.
In April 2023, Fox Corp. and its cable networks agreed to a settlement. They settled out of court the lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems, a purveyor of vote counting machines. The suit claimed that Fox News had made defamatory statements against Dominion. It claimed that the network aired defamatory accusations that its voting machines were rigging the result of the 2020 presidential election. When the settlement was finalized at a staggering $787 million, the seriousness of these claims against the network was truly highlighted.
Newsom’s lawsuit is similar to these allegations based in large part on the claim that Fox News spread false lies about Dominion Voting Systems. He emphasizes the need for accountability, stating, “If Fox News wants to lie to the American people on Donald Trump’s behalf, it should face consequences — just like it did in the Dominion case.”
The decision to bring the case in Delaware is key. The very state of incorporation for Fox Corp. Newsom goes after Fox Corp. but especially its cable networks. He plans to hold them accountable for what he describes as manipulative and deceptive practices that misinform the public.
In his personal war on misinformation, Newsom is no less combative. He is absolutely right to go after the unconstructive, pernicious effect of media operations that profit on lies. He stated, “Until Fox is willing to be truthful, I will keep fighting against their propaganda machine.”
The lawsuit comes against a backdrop in which media credibility is facing severe attack. That’s all the more true for the coverage and commentary surrounding the 2020 election. The depth of public confusion requires bold action and a fierce commitment to truth-telling, all of which are at the heart of Newsom’s legal action and its aims.