Rupert Murdoch, the founder of Fox News, is set to undergo deposition on Tuesday as part of the ongoing $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit filed against Fox Corp. by Smartmatic, a voting technology company, according to a source familiar with the matter. This marks the second occasion this year that the 92-year-old media mogul is being deposed in a high-stakes legal battle concerning allegations that Fox News disseminated false information about the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
Scheduled to face questioning in Los Angeles over two days, Murdoch previously admitted under questioning in January, as part of a similar defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems, that some Fox News hosts and personalities had "endorsed" the false narrative of election theft from then-President Donald Trump. Fox News ultimately settled with Dominion for $787.5 million.
Smartmatic's lawsuit, now in New York Supreme Court, accuses Fox, along with specific hosts and guests, of knowingly spreading falsehoods or acting with reckless disregard for the truth by promoting the unfounded claim that Smartmatic manipulated the election results in favor of President Joe Biden over Trump. The voting technology company is seeking damages "in excess of $2.7 billion" for the alleged harm caused by the defendants' purported "disinformation campaign."
While Murdoch is not a named defendant in the lawsuit, which targets figures like Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, Lou Dobbs, Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell, his deposition holds significance in the ongoing legal battle. In February, a New York appeals court rejected Fox's attempt to dismiss the defamation suit.
Having officially stepped down as chair of Fox and News Corp. recently, Murdoch handed the reins to his son Lachlan. He now holds the title of chairman emeritus for both companies. In response to Murdoch's upcoming deposition, Fox spokesman Brian Nick declined to provide a comment. The legal proceedings continue to unfold amid heightened scrutiny over media responsibility and the dissemination of information surrounding the 2020 election.
In conclusion, Rupert Murdoch's deposition in the ongoing defamation lawsuit against Fox Corp. by Smartmatic adds another layer of complexity to the legal battles surrounding allegations of misinformation related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Murdoch, founder of Fox News, faces questioning for the second time this year, following his admission in a previous lawsuit involving Dominion Voting Systems. The $2.7 billion lawsuit by Smartmatic accuses Fox and specific hosts of knowingly spreading false narratives about election rigging.
As the legal proceedings unfold in New York Supreme Court, Smartmatic seeks substantial damages, emphasizing the alleged harm caused by what they describe as a "disinformation campaign." While Murdoch is not a defendant in the lawsuit, his deposition remains a pivotal development in the case. The context of these legal battles underscores the ongoing debate surrounding media responsibility and the consequences of disseminating false information during a contentious election. The conclusion of this lawsuit may have far-reaching implications for how media outlets approach reporting on elections and the potential legal consequences they may face.
