The election in the USA The aftermath

Fox News. Yuki Iwamura / AP  

The election in the USA The aftermath  

Analysis: Historic trial that could change the media  

An acquittal against media giant Fox News, which is accused of knowingly spreading lies about electoral fraud in connection with the 2020 presidential election, could have a major impact on the American media landscape. That's what SVT's US correspondent Fouad Youcefi says. An acquittal could lead to other actors feeling that it is "free to go" to publish uncertain - or even untrue - information. 

At the same time as the trial begins, the case can end in a settlement at any time, writes Mark Sweney in The Guardian. It would be a way to avoid new evidence being presented in court that damages the company further, but also to avoid a conviction - which would be devastating for Fox and media mogul Rupert Murdoch.  

One in fourteen American adults watches Fox News at least eight hours a month, writes Philip Bump in the Washington Post, referring to a survey. The channel's dominant position is at the heart of the lawsuit – in fear of losing its dominance, it published false claims about election fraud, writes Bump. 

Motorist protests Fox News. April 17, 2023. Matt Rourke/AP 

Fox News Trial Begins: 'Historic Case'  

Today, the trial begins against the media giant Fox News, which was sued for 1.6 billion dollars by the vote counting company Dominion Voting Systems, several media outlets report. Dominion accuses the news channel of knowingly spreading lies about election fraud in connection with the 2020 US presidential election.  

A historic prosecution, says Roy Gutterman, lawyer and professor of journalism at Syracuse University in New York, in SVT's Agenda.  

- I have not seen a similar case in several decades, he says.  

The key question is whether Fox News was aware that the reports that the election was rigged in Joe Biden's favor were incorrect.