Rupert Murdoch to Face Deposition in Smartmatic’s $2.7 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox

Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul and former chairman of Fox Corp, is scheduled for a deposition this week in Los Angeles regarding Smartmatic’s massive $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox Corp. The lawsuit centers around the coverage of unproven vote-rigging allegations during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. This legal action comes amidst a broader context of Murdoch stepping down from his chairman role and the ongoing debate over media responsibility and press freedom.

Smartmatic, a Florida-based voting technology company, has accused Fox Corp, Fox News, and several individuals, including Trump’s former lawyers Rudolph Giuliani and Sidney Powell, and Fox hosts Maria Bartiromo, Jeanine Pirro, and former host Lou Dobbs, of deliberately spreading false claims. These allegations suggest that Smartmatic’s software was manipulated to skew votes favouring Democrat Joe Biden and against then-President Donald Trump.

Fox Corp has staunchly denied these accusations. They defend their coverage as part of their duty to report on significant allegations of voter fraud, citing the First Amendment’s press freedom protections. Fox has described Smartmatic’s damage claims as “outrageous” and lacking financial credibility.

While Murdoch is not a direct defendant in the case, his deposition is crucial. Smartmatic aims to demonstrate his potential influence over Fox’s editorial decisions, which could implicate Fox Corp in the defamation claim. The legal standard for defamation, known as “actual malice,” requires proof that Fox knowingly broadcast false information or showed a reckless disregard for the truth.

Earlier this year, a New York state appeals court upheld the legitimacy of Smartmatic’s claims against Fox, emphasizing that Fox played an active role in the alleged defamation. This deposition follows a significant legal precedent set when Fox Corp and Fox News settled a similar lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, marking a historic defamation settlement in American media.

Murdoch’s previous deposition in the Dominion case revealed his belief in the fairness of the 2020 election despite expressing concerns about Fox’s coverage of the fraud claims. His deposition for the Smartmatic case will likely delve into his personal views on the election and his involvement in Fox’s editorial process.

Rupert Murdoch’s upcoming deposition is pivotal in Smartmatic’s defamation lawsuit against Fox. It underscores the ongoing tension between media freedom and responsibility, especially in the context of politically charged news coverage. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how media outlets approach controversial political topics and their potential legal repercussions.