Smartmatic and OAN Reach Settlement in Election Defamation Case
Smartmatic, a leading voting technology company, and One America News Network have resolved a defamation lawsuit related to false claims surrounding the 2020 election. The agreement, reached on Tuesday, remains confidential.
Voting technology company Smartmatic and the far-right network One America News announced on Tuesday that they have reached a settlement in a defamation lawsuit related to false claims made about the 2020 election.
OAN attorney Chip Babcock confirmed to CNN that the case has been resolved through a confidential agreement.
Details of the settlement were not disclosed by both parties involved.
Several lawsuits were filed against right-wing media companies, including OAN, following the 2020 election. False claims were made by pro-Trump outlets, questioning the legitimacy of President Joe Biden's election victory.
Smartmatic sued OAN in 2021, claiming that the right-wing network harmed the company by spreading false information about its involvement in the 2020 election to attract more viewers and make more money.
This legal action followed Fox News' settlement with Dominion Voting Systems the previous year. Fox News paid over $787 million to resolve the lawsuit, marking the largest defamation settlement in US history.
Smartmatic is still pursuing legal action against Fox News, smaller conservative channel Newsmax, and various pro-Trump individuals for spreading falsehoods about the election.
OAN has gained a reputation for being one of the most extreme pro-Trump cable news outlets, with some of its reporters engaging in right-wing political activities.
The little-watched network has frequently aired unfounded conspiracy theories in favor of Trump, particularly regarding the 2020 election.
The channel collaborated with Russian operatives on a documentary resembling propaganda during Trump's first impeachment in 2019, which involved accusations of pressuring Ukraine to investigate his political opponents. Additionally, one of its correspondents, who is also a lawyer, assisted Trump's legal team in undermining the results of the 2020 election.
OAN reached a settlement in September with ex-Dominion executive Eric Coomer, who had filed a defamation suit. The lawsuit shed light on how the network collaborated with former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell and others to spread false information about the election.
In 2022, DirecTV removed the far-right network from its programming, causing a major setback for OAN. This move had a significant impact on the network's audience and income.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Editor's P/S:
The settlement between Smartmatic and One America News (OAN) underscores the consequences of spreading false information and the importance of holding media outlets accountable for their actions. OAN's relentless promotion of baseless claims about the 2020 election not only damaged Smartmatic's reputation but also undermined public trust in the electoral process. The financial settlement serves as a reminder that spreading misinformation can have severe legal and financial ramifications.
It is crucial to note that OAN's actions are part of a broader pattern of right-wing media outlets engaging in fearmongering and conspiracy theories to advance their political agenda. The collaboration between OAN and Russian operatives during Trump's impeachment and the network's assistance in undermining the 2020 election results raise serious concerns about the role of media in perpetuating falsehoods and promoting political extremism. The settlement with Smartmatic and the removal of OAN from DirecTV's programming are positive steps towards holding these outlets accountable and protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions.
