Newsmax, a right-wing media network in the United States, has initiated legal proceedings against Fox News, alleging anticompetitive practices that aim to limit competition within the conservative news sector. The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Florida and contends that Fox News has leveraged its market position to pressure television providers into limiting the availability of competing conservative channels.
According to the antitrust complaint, Newsmax’s lawyers argue that Fox News has engaged in exclusionary tactics to solidify its dominance in the market for conservative pay TV news. It is claimed that Fox News enters into exclusive content agreements that obstruct other right-wing channels and imposes financial penalties on providers that choose to carry competing networks. The lawsuit further alleges that Fox News employs intimidation tactics, including pressuring guests to avoid appearances on rival networks and hiring private investigators to target Newsmax executives.
In response, a spokesperson for Fox News characterized Newsmax’s actions as an attempt to cover up its inability to attract viewers, asserting that the network cannot overcome its competitive shortcomings through legal maneuvers. The litigation seeks a court ruling that would deem Fox News’s conduct unlawful, alongside a request to prevent the company from engaging in what Newsmax describes as exclusionary contracts, and to obtain monetary damages.
Founded in 1998, Newsmax has recently gained prominence, particularly with backing from former President Donald Trump, and has a current market value of approximately $1.8 billion. However, the network has also faced its own legal challenges, including a settlement of $67 million with a voting machine company over false claims regarding the 2020 election. Fox News has similarly been involved in litigation, settling a $787.5 million lawsuit related to its coverage of the election.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jzlgw1d7eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss