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Newsmax settles Dominion defamation suit for 67 million
Newsmax will pay Dominion 67 million to settle defamation claims over 2020 election coverage, with $27 million paid and the rest due by 2027.
Newsmax agrees to pay Dominion 67 million to settle defamation claims over its 2020 election coverage.
Newsmax settles Dominion defamation suit for 67 million
Newsmax will pay Dominion Voting Systems 67 million to settle a defamation lawsuit tied to false claims about the 2020 election. The company disclosed the settlement in an Aug. 15 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, noting that 27 million was paid that day and the remaining sum will be due by January 2027. Dominion had accused Newsmax of spreading claims that its voting technology had been manipulated to help Joe Biden win, a pattern mirrored in other outlets that faced similar lawsuits. A trial that had been scheduled for October will not proceed as a result of the settlement.
Newsmax said it did not admit any wrongdoing and defended its 2020 coverage as fair and balanced. Dominion said the false claims caused harm, including death threats and lost revenue. Judge Eric M. Davis, who presided over Dominion’s case against Fox News, ruled that the at issue statements aired on Newsmax were false and defamatory, a finding that would have shaped questions of actual malice had the case gone to trial. The settlement follows related actions by Smartmatic and ongoing litigation against Fox News, illustrating a wider pattern of legal exposure tied to election coverage.
Key Takeaways
"We are pleased to have settled this matter."
Dominion reaction to the settlement
"Newsmax believed it was critically important for the American people to hear both sides of the election disputes that arose in 2020."
Newsmax justification for its coverage
"Newsmax did not admit any wrongdoing."
Newsmax response to the settlement
"represent a direct attack on free speech and a free press."
Newsmax on the ruling's implications for press freedom
The deal with Dominion is part of a broader pattern where media outlets face defamation risk for election coverage. Settlements do not necessarily amount to admissions of guilt, but they do acknowledge the risk of costly outcomes and reputational harm. The ongoing tension between free press protections and accountability for misinformation is shaping how networks vet sources, guests, and claims before they air them.
Looking ahead, this case could push more outlets to strengthen verification processes and be cautious with guests who amplify unverified narratives. It also raises questions for audiences about transparency and the line between opinion and fact in live reporting. The stakes go beyond money, touching trust in media institutions during politically charged moments.
Highlights
- Trust is earned in the newsroom not bought in court
- Settlements don’t erase the need for accountability
- Newsrooms must balance speed with accuracy
- Truth is the foundation of credible reporting
Political and legal risk around defamation settlements
The settlement ties defamation claims to election coverage and raises concerns about political backlash, regulatory scrutiny, and potential impacts on investor confidence in media outlets.
The path to credible reporting runs through accountability and meticulous verification.
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