After a record settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, Fox News must pay yet another substantial sum of money. This is yet another blow to the broadcasting system’s visage.
Former producer Abby Grossberg struck an agreement with the network. CNN reports that she was awarded twelve million dollars after claiming she was forced to provide fraudulent testimony in a hostile and discriminatory work environment.
“I stand by my publicly filed claims and allegations,” she said, adding that he has consented to withdraw the lawsuit in exchange for $12 million.
“I am heartened that Fox News has taken me and my legal claims seriously,” she said. “I am hopeful, based on our discussions with Fox News today, that this resolution represents a positive step by the Network regarding its treatment of women and minorities in the workplace.”
The arrangement was verified by a Fox News spokesperson who stated, “we are pleased that we have been able to resolve this matter without further litigation.”
According to a court document that was allegedly released to The New York Times, Fox News was attempting to “move on” from former President Donald Trump following his loss in the 2020 presidential election, in light of its recent agreement with Dominion Voting Systems.
Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems reached a settlement in which Fox News agreed to pay a record $787.5 million for defamation; however, this agreement did not include an apology from Fox News to the software company.
“Fox settled with Dominion over charges that Fox News baselessly accused the company of rigging its voting machines against former President Donald Trump in 2020. It was the most-watched media libel case in decades,” The Associated Press reported, additionally saying that through various financial mechanisms such as tax deductibility and insurance coverage, Fox News will likely never have to pay the full amount.
Becker News reports that former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), who joined Fox News’ board of directors after leaving Congress, “has become quite influential with” the network’s authority. The purportedly disclosed document indicates that “Ryan has been an influential force behind the network’s decision to move on from Donald Trump.”
“As a Board Member, Ryan believed that the period immediately following the 2020 Presidential Election ‘was a pretty important inflection point, not just for the company Fox, but for the country and for the conservative movement itself,’ and shared this ‘view as a fiduciary’ with Rupert and Lachlan,” the document notes, going on to cite an exhibit.
Ryan reportedly informed Rupert and Lachlan that Fox News should not promote conspiracy theories.
More on this story via The Republic Brief:
“On December 6 , 2020, Paul Ryan texted Rupert and Lachlan, telling them, we are entering a truly bizarre phase of this where [Trump] has actually convinced himself of this farce and will do more bizarre things to delegitimize the election,” the document says. “I see this as a key inflection point for Fox, where the right thing and the smart business thing to do line up nicely.” CONTINUE READING…