Fox News pushed back Friday against a former reporter’s lawsuit saying he was targeted and fired for challenging false claims about the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The network argued that Jason Donner had not shown he faced illegal discrimination. The nation’s capital bans discrimination based on political party membership or endorsement, but Donner hasn’t shown he joined a political party, nor that his bosses knew and fired him for it, Fox lawyers said.
Quick Read
- Fox News’ Response to Lawsuit: Fox News contested a lawsuit filed by former reporter Jason Donner, who claimed he was unjustly fired for challenging false narratives about the January 6 Capitol riot.
- Legal Argument: Fox News argued that Donner failed to prove illegal discrimination, citing that Washington D.C. law bans discrimination based on political party membership or endorsement, but not on differences of opinion in news reporting.
- Donner’s Political Affiliation: In his lawsuit, Donner stated he was a longtime Republican who recently affiliated with the Democratic Party.
- Questions Over Sick Leave and Lawsuit Timing: Fox News raised issues about whether Donner correctly informed his managers when taking sick leave for the COVID-19 vaccine and if he filed his lawsuit within the legally permitted timeframe.
- Donner’s Claims: Donner alleged he was terminated as part of a purge of employees who wouldn’t report information favorable to Donald Trump. He claimed to have been inside the Capitol during the riot and objected to Fox News labeling the rioters as peaceful.
The Associated Press has the story:
Fox News pushes back against fired reporter’s suit over Jan. 6 coverage
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
Fox News pushed back Friday against a former reporter’s lawsuit saying he was targeted and fired for challenging false claims about the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The network argued that Jason Donner had not shown he faced illegal discrimination. The nation’s capital bans discrimination based on political party membership or endorsement, but Donner hasn’t shown he joined a political party, nor that his bosses knew and fired him for it, Fox lawyers said.
“That law does not protect employees of news media organizations based on their differences of opinion over reporting and commentary on matters of public concern,” Fox attorneys wrote.
Donner said in his lawsuit he was a longtime Republican who affiliated with Democrats more recently.
The network also questioned whether he had properly informed managers when taking sick time after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and whether he filed the lawsuit within the time allowed by the law.
Donner’s lawsuit said he was fired in 2022 as part of a “purge” of employees who refused to only report information that would “appease” former President Donald Trump and his supporters. He had been inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and called to scream at the control room when he learned Fox News was referred to the rioters as peaceful, he wrote in his suit.
