In a recent turn of events, Nina Jankowicz, a prominent figure in the fight against disinformation and Vice President at the Centre for Information Resilience, found herself in the headlines once again. However, this time it was due to a legal battle with Fox News.
The lawsuit, which was filed by Jankowicz, the former head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disinformation board, was swiftly dismissed by a judge in Delaware. The court documents revealed that the judge sided with Fox News, stating that the statements Jankowicz found defamatory were actually either related to the board she led or were factually accurate.
Among the claims made in Jankowicz’s lawsuit were allegations that Fox News falsely accused her of wanting to censor Americans’ speech and give verified Twitter users, including herself, the power to edit others’ tweets. Jankowicz, a respected researcher and writer in the field of disinformation, stepped down from her role in 2022 amidst controversy surrounding the DHS board’s work being put on hold.
Fox News, in response to the court’s decision, released a statement declaring the lawsuit as politically motivated and an attempt to stifle free speech. The network expressed satisfaction with the outcome, citing the protection of the First Amendment.
While this legal battle may have come to a close, the larger conversation around disinformation and the role of media outlets in combating it continues to be a hot topic. Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing saga.
