Full Breakdown
Internal Concerns at Fox News Amid Smartmatic Lawsuit
10/18/2025, 1:14:44 AM
Employee Survey Highlights Editorial Concerns
An internal survey conducted among Fox News employees in 2020 has surfaced as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Smartmatic, a voting technology company. The survey, which included responses from 1,040 employees, revealed significant dissatisfaction with the network's editorial standards and the conduct of prominent hosts. Employees expressed concerns that Fox News was acting as a "propaganda machine" for the Republican Party and specifically aiding former President Donald Trump. One anonymous employee lamented, “I sometimes go home fighting back tears,” indicating a moral conflict with the network's content.
Smartmatic's Legal Position
Smartmatic's lawsuit, initiated in 2021, claims that Fox News aired knowingly false statements about the company during the 2020 presidential election. The recently released survey responses are being used by Smartmatic to argue that Fox executives were aware of internal dissent regarding the network's programming. The company contends that the critical comments from employees serve as evidence that Fox's board failed to address these concerns adequately. In response, Fox News has dismissed the relevance of the survey, asserting that the comments were made prior to the network's election coverage and do not reflect the views of its leadership.
Calls for Editorial Changes
Several employees called for the implementation of new editorial guidelines to curb the spread of misinformation and hateful rhetoric. One employee suggested that Fox should “get out of Trump’s pocket” and focus on factual reporting rather than conspiracy theories. The survey responses highlighted a desire for a commitment from opinion hosts to provide truthful information backed by hard facts, rather than conjecture that could harm individuals.
Official Responses and Criticism
Fox News has not disputed the authenticity of the employee quotes but characterized many as “incomplete.” The network maintains that Smartmatic's claims are unfounded and that they did not defame the company. Critics of Fox News, including some employees, argue that the network's alignment with Trump has compromised its journalistic integrity. They assert that the network has contributed to societal division and hatred through its programming choices.
Conflicting Reports and Future Developments
The lawsuit is set to proceed with a hearing in New York, where both parties will seek summary judgment on key aspects of the case. Meanwhile, Smartmatic faces its own legal challenges, as it has been implicated in a separate indictment concerning alleged bribery related to elections in the Philippines. This development could impact the perceived credibility of Smartmatic as it seeks damages from Fox News.
Conclusion
The internal survey at Fox News reflects a growing concern among employees regarding the network's editorial direction and its relationship with political figures, particularly Donald Trump. As the Smartmatic lawsuit unfolds, the implications for Fox News's reputation and operational integrity remain significant, with potential consequences for its future programming and journalistic standards.
