Paying $787.5 million sure looks like an apology by Fox News
To the editor: Often, when a defendant pays cash to settle a civil lawsuit, it isn’t an act of contrition. The usual launch signed by the plaintiff acknowledges that the defendant has not admitted wrongdoing. (“Fox Information settled Dominion defamation case for $787 million. Ought to it have apologized as properly?” April 19)
However, when a defendant pays the staggering quantity of $787.5 million, it’s definitely an act of contrition. You don’t pay a settlement of $787.5 million with a purpose to keep away from extra lawyer charges and prices. You don’t pay $787.5 million when you’ve got a protection of the slightest power. You solely pay $787.5 million in case you concern that the jury will hit you for greater than $1 billion in damages.
If the Fox Information defamation case had gone to trial, the jury wouldn’t have had the ability to order an apology. It might solely have ordered fee of an quantity for damages.
Fox Information’ fee of $787.5 million to Dominion Voting Techniques is a way more eloquent apology than a press release of apology learn in a monotone by an organization lawyer.
Bruce Janger, Santa Monica
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To the editor: What a wretched ending to this lawsuit! This payout means nothing to the overflowing coffers of the Fox Information cash machine.
I had hoped Dominion would have held out for a thunderous mea culpa from Fox. I had hoped we’d hear a mea culpa on each Fox Information present for not less than a month, day after day, night time after night time, so it will fill the brains and hearts of those that get all their so-called information from that firm.
My hope is that one of many plaintiffs within the pending lawsuits in opposition to Fox Information will maintain out for that. Similar to Hester Prynne in “The Scarlet Letter,” could the guilt of its lies unfold like a mighty power throughout the airwaves, and assist to save lots of our waning democracy earlier than its demise knell.
Rosalind Levine, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Might Fox Information have contrived a extra Orwellian characterization of its capitulation to Dominion’s lawsuit? To wit: “The settlement displays Fox’s continued dedication to the very best journalistic requirements.”
I missed this cable community’s reporting on the settlement of quite a few claims of fraud filed in opposition to the previous president’s notorious Trump College. Little question it went one thing like this: “This settlement displays Trump’s continued dedication to the very best instructional requirements.”
It figures that Fox’s and Trump’s abject skilled requirements are intently aligned — and provoke countless dropping authorized battles.
Gary Dolgin, Santa Monica
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To the editor: The Fox Information assertion concerning the Dominion courtroom case might have been utilized in Germany in 1944:
“The fuhrer mentioned we’ll proceed to uphold the very best humanitarian requirements in coping with the inmates in our camps.”
James Wilterdink, Chula Vista
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To the editor: Since so many individuals appear to be residing in an alternate universe the place fact appears to haven’t any weight, I used to be considering perhaps Fox might begin another sports activities station to spice up its earnings.
This station might be known as “You Win.” Irrespective of the precise outcomes of a contest, on this station your crew will at all times win.
That method everybody will likely be joyful on sport day, and never one single poor soul must take care of dropping.
Linda Taylor, Irvine
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To the editor: When your highest and solely objective is to make as a lot cash as doable, as I consider is the case with Rupert Murdoch’s household and the on-air personalities on the information community it controls, I think about the one apology Fox Information might give could be to apologize for getting caught.
That’s hardly the apology that many who even have morals would need.
David Berke, Encinitas
