Top Lawyer at Fox Corp. to Depart at Year-End
In a significant development, Viet Dinh, the top lawyer at Fox Corp., has announced his departure from the company effective December 31, 2023. Dinh, who has served as the media conglomerate’s lead legal counsel and reported directly to top executive Lachlan Murdoch, will step down after five years of service. Fox Corp., the owner of Fox News Media, expressed its gratitude for Dinh’s contributions and stated that he will continue to serve as a Special Advisor, providing valuable counsel to the company.
This announcement comes just months after Fox Corp. agreed to pay $787 million in settlement money to Dominion Voting Systems. The settlement was in connection with false claims aired by Fox News about the company’s software, which were promoted by former president Trump and his allies. Throughout the legal saga, Fox’s legal team had maintained a First Amendment defense, arguing the newsworthiness of the claims made by Trump and others regarding the 2020 election.
During Dominion’s legal discovery process, internal communications from within Fox News were exposed, revealing top executives and hosts dismissing the assertions made about voter fraud by Trump and his allies. Despite the settlement with Dominion, Fox Corp. still faces a separate defamation lawsuit from Smartmatic, another voting systems company. The lawsuit is based on similar claims made on Fox News following the 2020 election. The network has expressed its readiness to defend the case when it goes to trial, likely in 2025, emphasizing the implausibility of Smartmatic’s damages claims and the protection of First Amendment freedoms.
Viet Dinh’s departure from Fox Corp. marks a significant change for the company. Dinh, who was considered one of the most influential executives at Fox Corp., played a crucial role in the company’s legal strategy in fighting back against defamation claims. The Wall Street Journal, also owned by the Murdochs, reported that Dinh had been instrumental in navigating the recent legal challenges faced by Fox Corp.
In a statement, Dinh expressed his privilege of being part of the Fox family and his excitement about continuing as a Special Advisor. He looks forward to returning to his roots of working on multiple ventures and with various clients across different disciplines.
This news is a significant development in the media industry, particularly for Fox Corp. and its legal team. As the company undergoes changes in its leadership, it will be interesting to see how it navigates future legal challenges while upholding its commitment to journalistic integrity.
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Original Story at thehill.com – 2023-08-11 07:00:00