Today begins the trial against the American TV channel Fox News. She is accused by Dominion Voting Systems, an electronic voting machine company, of having conveyed false information about fraud during the 2020 presidential election. A trial with multiple issues.
With our correspondent in New York, Lubna Anaki
In 2020, from the first results announcing a probable victory for Joe Biden, Donald Trump multiplied the accusations of fraud, on the internet, but also on Fox News, the flagship channel of the conservatives. Like him, his allies take turns on television to defend their champion and accuse Dominion Voting System of playing a key role in what they describe as large-scale electoral fraud. A theory taken up repeatedly by the star presenters of Fox News.
It is not a high financial risk lawsuit in the sense that the chain achieves a turnover far superior to the sum requested by Dominion, but it is above all a risk because after Dominion, there is another affair in progress.
Alexis Pichard, Doctor of American Civilization
None of them present any evidence and all investigations since have turned up nothing. Today, the electronic voting machine company is therefore claiming more than $1.5 billion in damages. A large sum, but which is not likely to bankrupt Fox News.
The trial that opens will still be closely followed, because it is seen as a test for the fight against disinformation, but also for the freedom of expression protected by the constitution. Fox News boss Rupert Murdoch should be heard.
It should be noted that convictions of television channels remain rare in the United States. Fox News hopes to make this trial an emblem of free speech.
Part of the conservative electorate is convinced that Trump is martyred and persecuted, so with this electorate, which is quite a majority in the base of the Republican Party, it will not have any concrete impact. But beyond that, in the sphere of more moderate conservatives, there it could have a concrete impact.
Alexis Pichard, Doctor of American Civilization