Holding Media Accountable: The Case of Fox News
As part of our mission to strengthen democracy, we promote media literacy by critically examining major news sources. Here we focus on Fox News, highlighting documented misinformation, lawsuits, and false claims, with clear sourcing for all examples.
Notable Lawsuits Against Fox News
Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News (2023)
Fox News agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a defamation lawsuit over false claims aired in 2020 that Dominion’s voting machines rigged the presidential election. Source: NPR
Smartmatic v. Fox News (Ongoing)
Smartmatic, another election technology company, is suing Fox News for $2.7 billion over alleged defamation regarding 2020 election misreporting. Source: AP News
Documented False Claims & Misinformation
- 2020 Election Lies: Fox News repeatedly aired false claims that the U.S. presidential election was stolen, votes were flipped by Dominion/Smartmatic machines, and the election was “rigged.” These claims were debunked by courts, election officials, and Fox itself in legal documents. Reuters
- COVID-19 Misinformation: Multiple Fox News hosts downplayed the severity of the pandemic, spread debunked cures, and cast doubt on vaccines contrary to scientific consensus. NY Times
- Climate Change Denial: Fox News has misrepresented climate science, suggested the overwhelming scientific consensus is a “hoax,” and hosted non-experts to challenge established facts. Media Matters
- Birtherism: Fox News provided a platform for false claims that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. The Guardian
- Seth Rich Conspiracy Theory: Fox News promoted false claims tying DNC staffer Seth Rich to leaked emails, later retracting and settling with his family. NBC News
- Antifa Wildfire Claims: A Fox News guest falsely blamed 2020 West Coast wildfires on “Antifa arsonists,” a claim refuted by law enforcement. NY Times
- “Caravan Invasion”: Fox News used incendiary language to misrepresent migrant caravans as violent invaders, often exaggerating threats and circumstances. NPR
Want to be a more informed citizen? Always check sources, question claims, and seek reliable, nonpartisan information.