As a business ethics keynote speaker, business ethics consultant and ethics book author, I already know that in presenting on any aspect of 2023 politics is fraught with danger. Therefore, let me frame this issue with a bigger question: does a business have the right to defend itself from defamation? I think we would all agree: “Yes.”
Suppose the business was defamed not by a single customer, but by a media source. Would the business have the right to defend itself from defamation? I think most reasonable people would also say, “Yes, it does.”
Therefore, as a business ethics keynote speaker, I would ask you to consider the scandal accusations and the follow-up defamation lawsuit case brought against Fox News by Dominion Voting Systems. That is all we are discussing in this matter. Your politics, your vote, your opinions are your own.
Dominion Voting Systems
Dominion Voting Systems, is a corporation engaged in the business of voting. They have just won a $788 million settlement against a cable news network that was spreading false claims of fraud.
The cable news network got away cheap. The original lawsuit was for $1.6 billion. After the settlement, the legal team for Dominion said:
“The truth matters. Lies have consequences. Over two years ago, a torrent of lies swept Dominion and election officials across America into an alternative universe of conspiracy theories, causing grievous harm to Dominion and the country.”
From their viewpoint, Dominion produces machinery and tabulates results. If there was any provable hint of bias, aside from putting the company out of business, it would have had catastrophic results on the election process itself.”
Interestingly, after the conclusion of the case, the cable news network said:
“”We are pleased to have reached a settlement of our dispute with Dominion Voting Systems. We acknowledge the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false…we are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues.”
Acrimony
Not at all surprising, virtually within minutes, in fact, the cable news network decried the settlement as inflated and that it maintained the highest levels of reporting. The media supporters of the victory claim the cable network had not fully apologized and also, not surprising, cable news networks representing differing political opinions mocked the on-air journalists who spread lies.
Of the on-air journalists who were seen as pushing an irrelevant narrative, others in the media felt they had given a black eye to the entire journalism profession.
In other words, the vitriol has continued. The positions taken by all sides in this matter represent the worst aspects of the new media where everyone is right, no one assumes blame, and not even when proven wrong, does anyone assume guilt.
Cable news is an interesting societal phenomenon. The three main stations more or less represent three, broad, political opinions. They have all been shown to push their narratives on issues and for the most part, those who adhere to the on-air personalities who enable the agendas to be pushed, get caught up in the narrative. In brief, the on-air personalities – by and large entertainers who entertain and not journalists who seek the truth – can and do, create damage.
Cable news holds as its highest standard, to pander to opinions rather than to factual reporting. Unfortunately, cable news creates its own news.
I have little doubt that as a business ethics keynote speaker, business ethics consultant and ethics book author, there is no directive that any on-air must always tell the absolute, journalistic truth, but that they must entertain.
In this particular piece of scandal, I am also doubtful if everyone involved truly believed the narratives they were pushing. It attracted listeners, it pushed many tubes of toothpaste or underarm deodorant.
In this world of ethics in which we must function, I would only warn we take every one of these broadcasts with a grain of salt. Truth has become a rare commodity and often, ethical behavior badly suffers.
LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!
