Fox News and Dominion: Misinformation in Electoral Processes

Electoral processes in democratic regimes, that is, in which there is uncertainty in the electoral results and the ruling party can be defeated, have become global media phenomena. Access to the digital conversation, coupled with the rise of political polarization, has turned electoral processes into real spectacles in which supporters and detractors of the candidates use social networks to express their agreement or discontent with the results.

Some media outlets have taken advantage of this situation to maximize their impact. Many of them have become the exclusive source of information for some groups, so that they are committed to publishing content that coincides and reinforces the convictions of their consumers.

This process has significantly deteriorated the quality of journalism and encouraged extremism in certain groups that, dogmatically, accept what their favorite media publish.

One of the most attractive (and harmful) ideas in the media in electoral processes is that of fraud. That is to say, that without elements that justify the complaint, the ignorance of the results is encouraged by alleged irregular practices.

According to Gerardo de Icaza, "when the idea of fraud takes over the opinion of a sector, it is difficult to find the antidote or argument that can convince it otherwise. Added to this, the media find in allegations of fraud a tempting opportunity to generate ratings and sell newspapers with the publication of sensational headlines."

Unfortunately, this situation is not extraordinary. In fact, in one way or another, most of the recent electoral processes in the region have fallen victim to this idea.

Brazil's elections last year were a huge effort for both the Superior Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and fact-checkers, who had to face an avalanche of disinformation in both the pre-election and post-election phases. During the months leading up to election day, President Jair Bolsonaro claimed that electronic ballot boxes were vulnerable and that fraud could be forged.

Another case that had a worldwide impact was that of the denunciation of fraud by former President Donald Trump. Rudolph Giuliani, their lawyer, toured television studios and judicial instances claiming that they had been victims of massive fraud through the manipulation of voting machines. Some news networks such as Fox News actively spread this idea, even accusing technology development companies, such as Dominion Voting Systems or Smartmatic.

The companies took matters into their own hands and accused the famous news network of defamation. Dominion Voting Systems sought $1.600 billion in compensation and Smartmatic $2.700 billion.

Just over two years after the 2020 election, the Delaware Superior Court ruled that none of the statements Fox News made about Dominion were true and ordered a trial to determine whether the network had acted with actual malice. Faced with this situation, the chain arranged with the company a payment of 787 million dollars to avoid trial.

Democracy is an intangible, invaluable good, but attacking and questioning its institutions in an unjustified and irresponsible manner must come at a price.

Executive Director of Electoral Transparency. Degree in International Relations from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV).

Copyright Latinoamerica21 and Clarín, 2023.