Fox News Trial Will Begin Tomorrow

[PJMcK]

3. I've read and heard many rumors

There seems to be an assumption among many in the pontification business that the Fox lawyers want to settle instead of going to court. The evidence and testimonies that have become public paint a damning picture for the network. The Fox lawyers' malfeasance was a huge mistake and they know it; they've lost the Court's faith and respect.

If settlement talks are occurring, my assumption is that Fox thinks they can find a dollar figure and buy their way out of the lawsuit, perhaps with some confidentiality built into the settlement agreement.

This would be bad. Dominion has built a solid case and it's no longer clear that their goals are financial as much as reputation-related.

However, this is a zero-sum legal and public relations circumstance. It's not enough for Dominion to win their case. Indeed, Fox News must also lose in a big way and very publicly. This is the only way to blunt the corruption of Fox News and its hosts. Fox should have to pay a large sum and make all kinds of public statements of contrition and apology. That's the only way Dominion-- and, by extension, the United States-- will win this case.

I hope the trial is going forward and today's postponement is because of a simple procedural or scheduling issue.