Judge tosses lawsuit against Fox News. But Newsmax can try again

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In simpler terms, a federal judge dismissed Newsmax’s legal claim that accused Fox News of breaching U.S. competition laws by pushing out competing conservative news channels unfairly.

The court’s decision came two days after the case was filed.

Judge Aileen M. Cannon in the U.S. District Court has decided to allow Newsmax a second chance to file their lawsuit. Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Newsmax has been instructed to refile their lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s media company and popular cable news network by Thursday, as they need to adhere to the court’s style requirements.

In a two-page decision issued on Friday, Judge Cannon stated that Newsmax’s legal team attempted to strengthen their argument improperly by linking multiple claims together to increase their impact.

Newsmax explained that it recognizes the issue at hand is purely technical, and as such, their legal team will be resubmitting the documents.

On Wednesday, Newsmax filed a lawsuit against Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, alleging that they engaged in anti-competitive practices to preserve their “illegal monopoly” in the conservative pay TV news market, as controlled by the Murdoch television group.

Hollywood Inc.

As a devoted cinephile, I’d rephrase it like this: In the heart of Hollywood, I find myself embroiled in a tale where Fox allegedly leverages an exclusionary strategy to fortify and sustain their reign, thereby stifling competition within the market. This clandestine maneuver, as per Newsmax’s federal lawsuit filed in Miami, not only inflicts harm on consumers and fellow competitors but also on Newsmax Broadcasting itself.

Newsmax’s legal team asserts that Fox News leverages its industry influence to dissuade cable providers from featuring or promoting Newsmax and other competing conservative news channels. Furthermore, Newsmax accuses Fox News of employing intimidation tactics, such as discouraging guests from appearing on Newsmax.

Without Fox’s anticompetitive actions, Newsmax could have expanded its pay TV distribution, attracted larger audiences and higher ratings faster, secured earlier advertising appeal, and ultimately increased its overall value as a media company,” according to Newsmax in their lawsuit.

Fox News scoffed at the allegations.

In simpler terms, the company stated that it’s not possible for them to sue their way past their own struggles in the market just to garner attention, as they are unable to draw in viewers. This is due to their competitive failures in the marketplace.

Murdoch’s company declined further comment on Friday.

Hollywood Inc.

In a court case concerning defamation, Smartmatic’s lawyers have asserted that Fox News spread unfounded accusations of election fraud during the 2020 elections, even though they knew these allegations to be untrue.

In simpler terms, the judge appointed by President Trump stated that Newsmax’s legal claim was organized in a manner similar to a “scattergun approach,” meaning it included several distinct charges, with each charge essentially repeating the allegations from the ones before it.

Should Newsmax try again, it must untangle its arguments.

Cannon stated that each claim should clearly specify the relevant legal rule used as a foundation for liability, and it should also include precise factual details to back up every accusation made within that claim.

Hollywood Inc.

The Boca Raton, Florida-based news organization experiences a boost following its initial public sale, becoming increasingly popular among political conservatives.

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2025-09-05 22:01