Following sexism allegations, CNN and Don Lemon ‘Part Ways’

Longtime anchor Don Lemon reportedly no longer works for CNN. The media sector was shocked by the pronouncement that was made on Monday without any justification. In a note to colleagues, CNN CEO Chris Licht said: “Don will forever be a part of the CNN family, and we thank him for his contributions over the past 17 years.” “We wish him well and will support him in his endeavors in the future.” Together with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, Lemon served as the host of “CNN This Morning”. The program has been broadcast for about six months. Regarding the morning show, Licht stated, “We are dedicated to its success.”

Lemon claimed in a statement that his agent informed him Monday morning that CNN had fired him. Lemon said, “I am stunned,” claiming that management had “the decency” to tell him immediately that he had been let go. I never received any warning that I wouldn’t be able to carry on with the work I’ve loved at the network, Lemon continued. Lemon’s account of the events was refuted by CNN as being “inaccurate.” The network released a statement saying, “He was given the chance to speak with management but chose to release a statement on Twitter. CNN welcomed Lemon in September 2006. Lemon helmed the prime-time program “Don Lemon Tonight” for more than eight years before joining “CNN This Morning.” He became well-known throughout Donald Trump’s presidency for his blunt criticism of the then-president, fighting back against.

He received a lot of backlash for his sexist remarks on “CNN This Morning” in February. Lemon contended that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, “isn’t in her prime” during an on-air debate regarding Haley’s suggestion that elder politicians take competency tests. Women are only “considered to be in their prime in their 20s, 30s, and maybe 40s,” according to Lemon. Co-anchors Collins and Harlow rebutted, but Lemon insisted on his position. In a later message to CNN personnel, Licht referred to the remarks as “unacceptable.” Lemon apologized and agreed to take part in official training sessions, according to Licht, who described their “frank” talk as taking place. “It is crucial to me that CNN strikes a balance between accountability and… promoting a culture in which individuals can own, learn, and grow.

During an editorial meeting, Lemon informed the team, “When I make a mistake, I admit it. “And I also own this one,” Variety reported on charges of misogyny directed towards female coworkers earlier this month. Lemon disputed the charges.

 

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Despite Settlement, Fox Still Has ‘Disinformation Engine’ Mark on It.

After a last-minute settlement on Tuesday, Fox News avoided a potentially humiliating defamation trial, but it suffered a reputational blow that critics said was unlikely to motivate the influential channel to rein in its “disinformation engine.”

The network, one of the most influential and successful in the country, consented to a $787.5 million settlement in a lawsuit brought by the maker of voting machines Dominion over its reporting on alleged election cheating in 2020.

Analysts said the settlement was a rare occurrence that demonstrated there could be a heavy price for obvious deception — even for once-untouchable media titans. Fox News managed to wiggle out of what was anticipated to be an explosive trial.

“This can be seen as a wake-up call for live broadcasters and a reminder that there really is a difference between false factual statements, and knowingly broadcasting such false information, and protected speech,” Roy Gutterman, a professor at Syracuse University, told AFP.
Dominion claimed that the network supported Donald Trump’s unsubstantiated assertion that its voting devices were used to rig the 2020 election in favor of Joe Biden when it sued Fox News for $1.6 billion.

As a result of the settlement, none of the broadcaster’s well-known figures, including chairman of the Fox Corporation Rupert Murdoch and hosts like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity, will have to give a testimony.

“They were facing the possibility of having to defend their disinformation apparatus before a jury using a procession of well-known witnesses. The audio would have been played endlessly, 1,000 times.

Numerous internal documents from Fox News, including emails and texts, were made public by ‘Stain’ – Dominion, demonstrating that its officials rejected Trump’s assertions and even voiced disgust for the previous president despite admiring him on TV.

“The stain this leaves on Fox can’t be wiped out with money,” declared Angelo Carusone, president of the advocacy group Media Matters.

The network has been fully exposed for what it is: a biased propaganda machine that will stop at nothing to advance its own interests.

According to US media, the broadcaster will not be required to express regret or acknowledge propagating falsehoods on network programs under the terms of the deal.

Will the significant payout be sufficient to prevent the conservative network from taking similar actions in the future? Many analysts expressed doubt.

Will Fox’s defamation machine be punished? Gregory Miller, a co-founder of the nonprofit, impartial OSET Institute, said to AFP, “I doubt it.

“I fear it will be in full gear” in the run-up to the 2024 presidential race, despite the possibility of some cooling.

Experts anticipate a fiercely divisive election in 2024.

Trump, who falsely claimed that the 2016 election had been rigged against him and inspired a crowd to invade the US Capitol on January 6.

‘Roadmap for falsehoods’ – Fox News’s legal issues are far from resolved.

Another voting technology business, Smartmatic, has filed a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against it because of false claims made by the network that it contributed to Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election.

According to a Smartmatic lawyer quoted by US media, “Dominion’s litigation exposed some of the misconduct and harm caused by Fox’s disinformation campaign.”

“Smartmatic will reveal everything else.”

Miller expressed worry that the settlement reached on Tuesday, which can be seen as reaffirming the high hurdle for media defamation, might give “other networks a legal roadmap for disseminating future falsehoods.”

Additionally, he added, it might be much more disruptive if Fox or its followers refer to the settlement as a “victory.”

Professor of media at the University of Florida Andrew Selepak told AFP that Fox could essentially portray itself as the victim in this situation.

“I’m sure there are some people… who might be rejoicing in this outcome but fail to realize that once a precedent is set, it can be used against anyone,” she said.

While Fox can sustain a settlement this size, many news organizations would not be able to, you know.