A voting technology firm suing Fox News for defamation over its 2020 election coverage claimed senior corporate executives, including Rupert Murdoch, intentionally destroyed damning evidence in the case, according to court filings. Smartmatic levied the stunning new allegations on Wednesday, alleging in court filings that Fox “orchestrated the destruction of text messages across all levels of their corporate hierarchy… despite a clear duty to preserve evidence.” In the highly redacted filings, Smartmatic claimed Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch were among the Fox officials who “deleted their texts” in an “extensive and willful” fashion — and not by accident. Rupert Murdoch was chairman of Fox Corporation during the 2020 election, and his son was CEO. The elder Murdoch stepped down in 2023 and his son became Fox Corp. chairman. A Fox spokesperson said the latest allegations from Smartmatic were a “desperate attempt to distract” from a recent evidentiary ruling that was decided in the network’s favor. “Smartmatic weakly attempts to resurrect stale, baseless discovery issues that actually were disclosed by Fox and resolved two years ago,” the Fox spokesperson said. “These issues have no bearing on the merits of Smartmatic’s case, which has fallen apart at every turn.” Smartmatic claimed the deleted texts were from November and December 2020. Evidence from a related case established that Rupert Murdoch and other top Fox officials did not believe the claims of massive voter fraud that were being promoted on Fox News’ shows. “Fox has eliminated contemporaneous texts that would have revealed further evidence of what Fox executives knew about the falsity of their broadcasts,” Smartmatic lawyers wrote in the filing. “While it championed election fraud on air, behind the scenes Fox ensured that many of its executives’ incriminating communications would never see daylight.” The long-running lawsuit doesn’t yet have a trial date in New York state court. Smartmatic asked the judge overseeing the case to tell the eventual jury that Fox destroyed evidence, and that they can assume that the evidence would’ve hurt Fox’s defense. The right-wing network denies wrongdoing and says the case threatens First Amendment press freedoms. Fox’s lawyers have said Smartmatic is “a failing election company that was in financial free fall” and the lawsuit is nothing more than a “meritless cash grab.” On Tuesday, an appeals court granted Fox News access to documents about a separate federal bribery indictment against senior Smartmatic executives, which the network believes will bolster its defense in the defamation lawsuit. (The defendants in that bribery case have pleaded not guilty and Smartmatic has denied any wrongdoing.)
Smartmatic accuses Fox News, Rupert Murdoch of destroying evidence in 2020 election defamation case
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Smartmatic alleges evidence destruction by Fox News executives in defamation lawsuit"
CNN
6.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Smartmatic, a voting technology company, has intensified its defamation lawsuit against Fox News by alleging that high-ranking executives, including Rupert Murdoch, engaged in the deliberate destruction of key evidence related to their coverage of the 2020 election. In recent court filings, Smartmatic claimed that Fox orchestrated the deletion of text messages among its executives, asserting that this action took place despite a clear obligation to preserve such evidence. The filings pointed out that both Rupert Murdoch, who was chairman of Fox Corporation during the election, and his son Lachlan Murdoch, the CEO, were involved in this extensive and intentional destruction of communications. These messages, dated from November and December 2020, are critical as they could reveal the extent to which Fox executives were aware of the falsehoods being broadcast regarding voter fraud claims. This allegation is part of a broader legal battle that has yet to see a trial date set in New York state court.
In response to Smartmatic's claims, Fox News dismissed the allegations as a desperate attempt to divert attention from a recent favorable ruling for the network. A spokesperson for Fox characterized the claims as weak and asserted that the issues raised had already been disclosed and resolved two years prior, thus lacking relevance to the core merits of the case. Smartmatic is pushing for the judge to inform the jury about the alleged destruction of evidence, suggesting that the missing texts would likely have been detrimental to Fox’s defense. Meanwhile, Fox's legal team has countered that Smartmatic is merely attempting to extract financial gain through a meritless lawsuit, emphasizing that the firm is struggling financially. Additionally, an appeals court recently allowed Fox News to obtain documents related to a separate bribery indictment involving Smartmatic executives, which Fox believes may support its defense in the ongoing defamation case.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent allegations made by Smartmatic against Fox News and Rupert Murdoch highlight serious concerns regarding evidence destruction in a high-profile defamation lawsuit. The claims that senior executives, including Murdoch, intentionally deleted crucial text messages raise questions about corporate accountability and transparency during a contentious political period.
Motivation Behind the Article
This report seeks to illuminate the extent of corporate malfeasance in media coverage of the 2020 election. By alleging that Fox News executives deliberately destroyed evidence, the article aims to challenge the integrity of the network and its leadership, potentially influencing public perception of both Fox News and the Murdoch family.
Public Perception
The article is likely designed to foster skepticism towards Fox News, especially among audiences already critical of the network's role in promoting election misinformation. This aligns with ongoing concerns about disinformation in media and the implications for democratic processes.
Potential Concealments
There may be underlying issues or narratives that the article does not address, such as the broader media landscape's role in shaping public opinion or the motivations behind the defamation lawsuit. The focus on evidence destruction diverts attention from other possible failures in journalistic integrity.
Manipulative Aspects
The language used in the article suggests a deliberate attempt to frame Fox News as untrustworthy. By emphasizing the "willful" nature of the evidence destruction, the article manipulates the reader's emotional response, potentially inciting outrage against the media outlet.
Truthfulness of the Claims
While the allegations are serious, the truthfulness hinges on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings. The assertions from Smartmatic are claims that need substantiation through the legal process, and the article may represent only one side of a complex narrative.
Societal Implications
If these allegations are proven true, there could be significant ramifications for Fox News, potentially leading to legal penalties and further erosion of public trust in media institutions. It may also embolden other organizations to pursue accountability in the face of misinformation.
Community Support
The article is likely to resonate more with communities that are already skeptical of Fox News, such as liberal and progressive groups, who may see this as validation of their criticisms of the network.
Impact on Markets
The implications of this news could influence Fox News' stock performance and public perception of its parent company, Fox Corporation. Investors may react to the potential legal and reputational risks associated with these allegations.
Geopolitical Context
While the article centers on a domestic issue within the U.S., it reflects broader global concerns about media integrity and democratic governance, particularly in the face of misinformation campaigns that can affect international perceptions of the U.S. political system.
Use of AI in Writing
It’s conceivable that AI tools could have been employed in crafting this article, particularly in organizing content or analyzing sentiment. While it’s difficult to pinpoint specific AI involvement, the structured presentation of allegations suggests a methodical approach to information dissemination.
Manipulative Elements
The article's language and framing may be seen as manipulative, especially in the way it highlights the behavior of specific individuals. This targeted focus could aim to provoke public outrage and shift the narrative surrounding Fox News' credibility.
The analysis indicates that while the allegations are grave, their verification will depend on the legal proceedings. The article serves to provoke thought and discussion about media accountability, particularly in the context of the 2020 election.