Fox News execs build legal team in anticipation of getting sued for coronavirus misinformation

[TheBlackAdder]

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On Friday, The Daily Beast reported that Fox News father-and-son owners Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch are assembling a team of lawyers in preparation for lawsuits against the news network for promoting misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic that could undermine public health.

“According to a top Murdoch executive, the father-and-son media moguls are ready to go to war with potential plaintiffs such as the Washington League for Increased Transparency and Ethics — aka WASHLITE — an activist non-profit that filed suit on Thursday against Rupert Murdoch, Fox News, and other defendants,” reported Lachlan Cartwright. “The 10-page complaint, first reported by The Times of San Diego and filed in the superior court of Washington state’s King County, seeks a judgment that the Murdoch-controlled outlets violated the state’s consumer protection laws by ‘falsely and deceptively disseminating ‘News’ via cable news contracts that the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 was a ‘Hoax,’ and that the virus was otherwise not a danger to public health and safety.'”

WASHLITE is seeking only “nominal” damages. Its main goal is to obtain an injunction stopping Fox News from “interfering with or undermining the legitimate control measures imposed within the State of Washington for the limited time period under which the pandemic is brought under control and until the pandemic is brought under control.”
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An unnamed executive in Murdoch’s organization warned that “The strategy is no settlements, even if it costs way more to fight the lawsuit and seek sanctions for ambulance-chasing lawyers.”

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/04/fox-news-execs-build-legal-team-in-anticipation-of-getting-sued-for-coronavirus-misinformation-report/

We'll see about that strategy, motherfuckers! Especially since the Murdochs prepared in January & February!

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[Skittles]

1. they've ALWAYS been liars, that may be their defense

yes indeed

[Dan]

2. Actually sue FOX

But also sue the individual commentators.... When there is a chance to lose everything, it definitely helps you focus your mind and what you say.

[hlthe2b]

3. Two words: CLASS ACTION. (there will be no shortage of families of deceased that can join)

It will not be hard to prove that their behavior was directly tied to what they learned from Fox.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

4. Even if they squirm out of culpability, make them pay!

Pay for those lawyers, assholes!

[lindysalsagal]

5. Great news!

I hope they get their clocks cleaned.

[colsohlibgal]

6. I Hope They Get Ruined

Any of the other wingnut stations probably behaved similarly so hopefully they all go bust.