Internal Concerns at Fox News Amid Smartmatic Lawsuit

An internal survey conducted among Fox News employees in 2020 has revealed significant dissatisfaction regarding the network's editorial standards and its perceived alignment with President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The survey, part of a 771-page legal filing in a defamation lawsuit by Smartmatic, a voting technology company, included comments from employees who expressed feelings of moral conflict and embarrassment about their association with the network. One employee lamented, “Have I sold my soul to the devil?” while others criticized the network as a “propaganda machine” rather than a legitimate news organization.

The GuardianAlternetThe Guardian

The survey, conducted between August 24 and September 8, 2020, involved 1,040 employees. Many respondents criticized the network's conservative opinion hosts, such as Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, for promoting conspiracy theories and divisive rhetoric. Employees called for stricter editorial guidelines to curb the spread of misinformation and hateful content. Smartmatic's lawsuit argues that these internal concerns indicate that Fox executives were aware of the issues but failed to act. Fox News has countered that the survey responses are irrelevant to the lawsuit, asserting that they were collected before the network's coverage of the 2020 presidential election, which is central to the case.

The GuardianAlternetThe Guardian

In response to the survey findings, Fox News stated that many employee comments were “incomplete” and emphasized that the network was certified as one of the best places to work in 2020 by Great Place to Work. However, Smartmatic contends that the criticisms highlight a broader issue of the network's integrity and its role in disseminating false information about the 2020 election. The lawsuit has progressed slowly, with a hearing scheduled next month where both parties will seek summary judgment on key aspects of the case.

The Guardian

Critics of Fox News, including former employees and media analysts, argue that the network's alignment with Trump's narrative has compromised its journalistic integrity. They assert that the internal survey reflects a culture of fear among employees who feel pressured to conform to the network's political agenda. This sentiment is echoed by various media commentators who view the situation as indicative of a larger trend within conservative media outlets to prioritize political loyalty over factual reporting.

The Guardian

While Fox News maintains that the survey does not reflect the views of the majority of its employees, the lack of clarity regarding the representativeness of the comments raises questions about the network's internal culture. The ongoing legal proceedings and the potential implications for Fox's reputation and operations remain uncertain as the case unfolds.

The Guardian

• “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

The Guardian

• “Many days I feel like I am part of the problem and FNC is contributing to hatred in this country,” — Anonymous Fox News Employee

The Guardian

• “I wish that management would crack down on conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric spewed by such hosts,” — Anonymous Fox News Employee

The Guardian

• “there’s a fear that we cannot anger the president or his most zealous supporters, and have abdicated all pretense of truthful reporting” — Anonymous Fox News Employee

The Guardian

The internal dissent at Fox News, highlighted by the Smartmatic lawsuit, underscores the ongoing tensions within the network as it navigates its role in the polarized political landscape of the United States.

The Guardian