News Summary
Fox News and Smartmatic Corp are battling in a defamation lawsuit in New York, with both parties seeking summary judgment. Smartmatic alleges Fox disseminated false claims about its voting technology during the 2020 election, causing significant business damage. Fox counters that the lawsuit aims to improve Smartmatic’s struggling business and claims their statements were backed by historical issues related to the company. This legal clash follows Fox’s recent settlement in a similar case with Dominion Voting Systems, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding election integrity and media responsibility.
New York – Fox News and Smartmatic Corp are currently embroiled in a significant defamation lawsuit, having both submitted competing motions for summary judgment in the New York Supreme Court. This legal confrontation centers around allegations regarding the voting technology company’s participation in the 2020 election and claims that Fox News disseminated false information that damaged Smartmatic’s reputation and business operations.
Fox News argues that Smartmatic’s lawsuit is a strategy to strengthen a struggling business, suggesting that the lawsuit was “manufactured to chill speech.” The network distinguishes itself from Dominion Voting Systems, another voting technology entity engaged in a similar defamation suit, contending that Smartmatic has a history of business difficulties predating the election.
On the other hand, Smartmatic asserts that Fox News has “deliberately deceived” its viewers by airing unsupported claims regarding the functionality of its voting machines. Smartmatic alleges that Fox News propagated a false narrative whereby the company, linked to Venezuela, utilized software to alter the vote count during the 2020 presidential election.
This lawsuit follows a recent settlement between Fox News and Dominion, where the network paid $787.5 million over claims that it knowingly spread false information. As a direct consequence of Fox’s statements, Smartmatic contends that its business has experienced severe repercussions, including layoffs and a decline in asset value by billions of dollars.
Fox News responds by maintaining that Smartmatic’s reputation was already tarnished due to past controversies, including involvement in Venezuelan elections and accusations of bribery in the Philippines. Fox’s statements indicate that Smartmatic’s troubles were not solely the result of Fox News’ reporting, but rather part of a broader context of historical issues.
Smartmatic claims that as a direct result of Fox News’ allegations, over 100 employees have lost their jobs and some have faced threats. The company’s legal representatives emphasize the adverse effects of the broadcasted claims, arguing that employees have endured intimidating situations due to the fallout from Fox’s assertions.
In its legal strategy, Fox News is seeking summary judgment under New York’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) law, which is designed to protect free speech by dismissing lawsuits that intend to silence critics. Smartmatic’s legal team counters this by arguing that Fox executives and hosts were aware that the claims of election fraud were false and chose to air them to maintain audience approval. Furthermore, it has been revealed that within depositions, some Fox executives expressed doubts about the validity of the claims, calling them “nuts” and “crazy.”
Smartmatic contends that Fox News is attempting to evade accountability for its actions, with both parties publicly framing the larger narrative of the lawsuit to their advantage. Smartmatic views the case as a fight against an abuse of power, while Fox frames it as a defense of its journalistic rights. The contrasting perspectives underscore the stakes of the ongoing litigation.
The court filings contain numerous redactions, reflecting adherence to a confidentiality agreement between the parties involved. The outcome of the summary judgment motions could play a critical role in determining whether the case proceeds to trial, or if key claims will be clarified for a jury. The stakes are particularly high given the existing legal troubles faced by Smartmatic, in addition to ongoing bribery investigations linked to its operations outside the United States.
As both sides continue to litigate the case, they closely manage public narratives while attributing blame for the alleged defamation and resulting damages toward each other.
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HERE Resources
Judge Rules Against Newsmax in Dominion Case
Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: Defamation
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Search: Fox News Smartmatic defamation
- Deadline
- Google Scholar: Smartmatic lawsuit
- Wall Street Journal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Defamation law
- New York Post
- Google News: Fox News Smartmatic
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
