A Delaware judge has ruled that Newsmax, a right-wing cable news channel, broadcast false and defamatory statements regarding Dominion Voting Systems in relation to the 2020 presidential election. This ruling by The New York Times' Judge Eric M. Davis sets the stage for a jury trial commencing on April 28 to determine whether Newsmax acted with "actual malice" in making such claims.

The judge found that Dominion presented clear evidence proving that Newsmax's statements could lead viewers to develop unfavorable opinions of the voting technology company. Dominion's lawsuit stems from accusations that they rigged votes to favor President Biden over former President Trump during the 2020 election. Newsmax claimed its reporting merely reflected allegations made by public figures, asserting its coverage was fair and did not defame Dominion.

In a public statement, Newsmax emphasized that this case poses a significant threat to free speech and press freedom, and confirmed its commitment to defending against the allegations vigorously. Dominion's response was one of satisfaction with the court's ruling, as stated in remarks to The Hill.

This legal battle follows a recent trend of lawsuits against media outlets for allegedly spreading misinformation during and after the election. In a related case, Dominion previously reached a monumental $787 million settlement with Fox News over similar defamation claims. Additionally, Newsmax recently settled a lawsuit with another voting technology firm, Smartmatic, for about $40 million.

As the trial approaches, the stakes for Newsmax are particularly high. The network has recently undergone a tumultuous financial period, linked to its initial public offering that surged for a brief time before plummeting. With the outcome of this trial potentially impacting its reputation and finances significantly, all eyes will be on the proceedings set to unfold this month.

To stay updated on the situation as it develops, further reading is available through NPR and The Hill.