Full Breakdown
Internal Concerns at Fox News Highlighted in Smartmatic Lawsuit
10/18/2025, 8:25:02 AM
Overview of Employee Sentiments
An internal survey conducted among Fox News employees in 2020 has surfaced as a significant element in the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by Smartmatic, a voting technology company. The survey, which included responses from 1,040 employees, revealed deep concerns regarding the network's editorial standards and its perceived alignment with the political agenda of former President Donald Trump. Employees expressed feelings of moral conflict, with one stating, “Have I sold my soul to the devil?” This sentiment reflects a broader discontent with the network's portrayal of news, which some employees characterized as a “propaganda machine for the Republican party.”
Key Findings from the Survey
The survey responses indicated that many employees believed Fox News was intentionally aiding Trump and the Republican Party. Comments included calls for the network to adopt ethical guidelines to curb the spread of misinformation and hateful rhetoric. One employee noted, “We need to stand up for our real journalists and have more focus on news gathering and reporting to change our credibility.” These sentiments were echoed by others who criticized prominent hosts like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity for promoting conspiracy theories.
Fox News' Response to the Lawsuit
In response to the allegations made by Smartmatic, Fox News has dismissed the relevance of the survey, arguing that the comments were made prior to the network's coverage of the 2020 presidential election, which is central to the lawsuit. The network contended that there is no direct connection between the employees' comments and the statements made by its on-air personalities. Fox also claimed that the survey results do not represent the views of the majority of its employees, as the organization that conducted the survey, Great Place to Work, certified Fox as one of the best places to work in 2020.
Legal Proceedings and Implications
The Smartmatic lawsuit, initiated in 2021, has progressed slowly, with a hearing scheduled next month where both parties will seek summary judgment on key issues. Smartmatic argues that the internal survey comments demonstrate that Fox executives were aware of employee concerns regarding the network's programming. The lawsuit seeks to establish whether Fox hosts made knowingly false statements about Smartmatic during the 2020 election coverage.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of Fox News have highlighted the implications of the survey findings, suggesting that the network's editorial choices have contributed to societal division and the spread of misinformation. The dissenting voices within the organization underscore a significant internal conflict regarding the network's role in political discourse.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Fox News is a propaganda machine for the Republican party NOT a news organization and should be acknowledged as such. It is embarrassing to tell people that I work here as even conservatives know [Fox News Channel] and [Fox Business Network] are biased information sources – not news.” — Anonymous Fox News Employee
- “Many days I feel like I am part of the problem and FNC is contributing to hatred in this country,” — Anonymous Fox News Employee
- “I wish that management would crack down on conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric spewed by such hosts,” — Anonymous Fox News Employee
The internal survey and subsequent legal developments highlight ongoing tensions within Fox News regarding its editorial direction and the impact of its coverage on public perception and political discourse.
