Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Dominion Voting Systems’ whopping $1.6 billion defamation suit against Fox Corporation and Fox News is cleared to go to trial, despite the media company’s efforts. Barring a settlement or other unforeseen circumstances, the voting technology company will get to have its attorneys grill Fox News anchors and Fox Corp. executives, Judge Eric M. Davis of Superior Court in State of Delaware ruled in a filing on Friday. “The Court will allow this civil action to go to trial,” Davis said Friday. At issue in the case are damages Dominion alleges it is owed after Fox News aired false claims about its actions and influence on the 2020 election. It is the second legal proceeding made against Fox News for its coverage of the aftermath of the 2020 race for the White House. Smartmatic, a separate voting technology company, has filed a massive $2.7 billion suit against Fox News. Both suits allege that Fox News falsely claimed the companies had rigged the election, repeated items about the matter and then refused to engage in efforts to set the record straight. The 2020 election was not fixed and its results were certified by multiple legal processes.
Netflix Beats Defamation Suit Over ‘Making a Murderer’ Docuseries
15.03.2023 - 06:55 / variety.com
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer A federal judge has thrown out a defamation suit brought by a retired police officer who argued that the Netflix docuseries “Making a Murderer” falsely accused him of planting evidence. In a ruling on summary judgment on Friday, Judge Brett Ludwig found that the plaintiff, Andrew Colborn, had failed to show that Netflix or the filmmakers had acted with “actual malice” in crafting their portrayal of him. The docuseries, which debuted in December 2015, pursued the defense theory that police had framed a man, Steven Avery, for a murder he did not commit. Avery was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, though he continues to seek various appeals.
The series became a breakout hit for Netflix and heralded a true-crime boom on the service.
Colborn filed suit in 2018, arguing that he had been subjected to “worldwide ridicule” by the series. The suit alleged that “Making a Murderer” distorted the facts, altered testimony and omitted key information to falsely portray Colborn as a corrupt officer who planted evidence. As a police officer, Colborn is a public figure. He must show that the filmmakers either knew what they were saying about him was false or showed reckless disregard as to whether it was false. In his ruling, Ludwig found that he had failed to meet that standard. “The First Amendment does not guarantee a public figure like Colborn the role of protagonist in popular discourse — in fact, it protects the media’s ability to cast him in a much less flattering light,” the judge wrote. Colborn took issue with 52 separate instances of alleged defamation in the series. The judge found that many of his complaints amounted to “media criticism better suited to the op-ed section.” Among
David Halls, ‘Rust’ First Assistant Director, Pleads to Misdemeanor Gun Charge in Set Death
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer David Halls, the first assistant director on “Rust,” pleaded no contest on Friday to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon, making him the first person to be held accountable for the shooting death of the film’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins. Halls, who was the film’s safety coordinator, appeared remotely for a plea hearing before a Santa Fe judge. Asked how he wished to plea, he answered, “No contest, your honor.” He will not serve jail time. Instead, he will serve six months of unsupervised probation. He is also expected to testify at a preliminary hearing in May, as prosecutors pursue involuntary manslaughter charges against actor Alec Baldwin and the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed.
Meghan Markle WINS Defamation Case Against Estranged Half-Sister Samantha!
It’s a good day to be Meghan Markle!
Meghan Markle wins defamation lawsuit against half-sister Samantha
Meghan Markle has successfully had her half-sister Samantha Markle's court case dismissed. She had accused the royal of spreading "malicious lies" during the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021.
Meghan Markle wins defamation lawsuit against half sister Samantha Markle
Meghan Markle has successfully had her half-sister's lawsuit dismissed after a judge ruled in her favour.
Defamation case against Duchess of Sussex by her half-sister dismissed by judge
A US court has dismissed a defamation case brought against the Duchess of Sussex by her half-sister, Samantha Markle.The duchess, 41, was accused of spreading “demonstrably false and malicious lies” to a “worldwide audience” in the royal couple’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. In a filing submitted in March last year, Samantha Markle claimed that “demonstrably false and malicious statements” were made by Meghan to a “worldwide audience”.The duchess previously filed a motion to stop depositions in the case from taking place, but this was dismissed by Florida US District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell last month.
King Charles Shows Off German Speaking Skills During State Visit Banquet Speech
King Charles III showed off his German speaking skills during a royal engagement in Berlin on Wednesday.
Netflix Slapped With Defamation Suit Over Free Diving Film ‘No Limit’
Netflix has been served a defamation lawsuit by a free diver who claims that the fictional drama “No Limit,” which is loosely based on his life, falsely suggests that he deliberately killed his wife. The lawsuit’s plaintiff, Pipin Ferreras, was married to fellow free diver Audrey Mestre, who drowned during a dive without oxygen in 2002 when the device meant to carry her to the surface malfunctioned.
New Mexico D.A. to Step Aside in Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Case, Names Two Attorneys to Take Over
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Santa Fe D.A. Mary Carmack-Altwies will step aside in the prosecution of Alec Baldwin for the fatal shooting of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and has named two lawyers to take over the case. Carmack-Altwies appointed Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis as special prosecutors on the case. Both are private attorneys based in Albuquerque. The move comes after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled on Monday that Carmack-Altwies could not continue to prosecute the case if she appointed a special prosecutor. Baldwin and “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were charged in January with involuntary manslaughter for the death of Hutchins. Gutierrez Reed mistakenly loaded a live round into Baldwin’s gun. Baldwin was holding it when it fired — he has denied pulling the trigger — killing Hutchins and wounding the film’s director.
Netflix Sued Over ‘No Limit’ Film That Suggests Free Diver Killed His Wife
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Netflix was sued on Wednesday over “No Limit,” a fictionalized film that suggests a free diver deliberately killed his wife in a diving incident. The French-language film is based on the true story of Francisco “Pipin” Ferreras and his wife, Audrey Mestre. They were a celebrity couple within the world of free diving, an extreme sport in which divers descend hundreds of feet without oxygen. Mestre drowned while attempting a dive in the Dominican Republic in 2002, after the device that was supposed to carry her to the surface malfunctioned. The film tells the story of “Pascal Gautier” and “Roxane Aubrey,” a fictionalized version of the couple. Gautier is depicted as abusive and jealous of Aubrey’s success. In the climactic scene, the film strongly implies that Gautier sabotaged her compressed air tank, leaving it without enough air to bring her to the surface.
‘Rust’: Judge Blocks Appointment of New Prosecutor, Marking Another Setback in Case
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer A judge on Monday blocked the Santa Fe district attorney from appointing a new prosecutor in the “Rust” case, marking another setback for the prosecution. Mary Carmack-Altwies, the elected D.A., said at a hearing Monday that the office is in “dire straits” due to a manpower shortage, and needs an outside lawyer to help prosecute Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed for the October 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled that the D.A. could not appoint a “special prosecutor” unless the D.A.’s office plans to recuse itself entirely from the case.
‘Rust’ Armorer Seeks to Block Appointment of New Prosecutor
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed is seeking to block the appointment of a new prosecutor in her involuntary manslaughter case, after the first one resigned. Gutierrez Reed and actor Alec Baldwin have both been charged in the death of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer who was accidentally shot on set in October 2021. In a brief filed on Friday, Gutierrez Reed’s lawyer argued that Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies is misusing the New Mexico statute that allows for the appointment of an outside prosecutor. “The statute is not designed to give district attorneys a taxpayer-funded supplemental ‘war chest’ to prosecute cases involving ‘high profile’ actors or individuals,” wrote defense lawyer Jason Bowles.
Gwyneth Paltrow Testifies in Ski Crash Trial: ‘You Skied Directly Into My F—ing Back!’
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Gwyneth Paltrow took the stand on Friday afternoon, telling a Utah jury that she was not the one to blame for a ski accident seven years ago. Paltrow is being sued by Terry Sanderson, a 76-year-old retired optometrist, who alleges that she crashed into him at the upscale Deer Valley Resort. In her testimony, Paltrow described watching her children ski downhill when Sanderson abruptly crashed into her from behind. “I was skiing and two skis came between my skis, forcing my legs apart,” she said. “And then there was a body pressing against me.”
Alec Baldwin ‘Wants His Day in Court’ as Judge Sets Two-Week Hearing in May
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Alec Baldwin will face a two-week evidentiary hearing in a Santa Fe courtroom in May, as prosecutors seek to show there is enough evidence to try him for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. At a brief status conference on Thursday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer scheduled the preliminary hearing to begin on May 3. Baldwin’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, said that the actor “wants his day in court,” and would not agree to delay the hearing much beyond the 60-day statutory deadline. Baldwin and “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were charged in January with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.
Netflix And Verizon Extend Offer Of 12-Month Subscription At No Extra Charge For +Play Customers
Netflix and Verizon are renewing an offer giving customers of the telecom firm’s +Play platform a 12-month subscription at no extra charge if they pay for a year’s worth of a different streaming service.
Verizon Brings Back Netflix One-Year Free Offer, Will Run Oscars Ad Promoting Special Deal
Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Verizon and Netflix — both looking to reel in new subscribers — are relaunching their special promotional offer giving the telco’s customers 12 months free of Netflix’s Premium plan. Starting March 12, Verizon wireless, 5G Home and LTE Home customers can get one year of Netflix’sPremium plan for no extra charge through Verizon’s +play subscription hub. In the U.S., the Premium plan is regularly priced at $19.99/month; it includes up to four simultaneous streams and access to Ultra HD content. The offer, which represents a $240 annual value, will be available for a limited time, according to the telco. Verizon previously launched the same limited-time Netflix deal in December.
Michael Jackson Biopic Gets $21 Million in California Tax Credits
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer “Michael,” the Lionsgate biopic about Michael Jackson, will receive more than $21 million in California tax credits, the state’s film commission announced Monday. The California Film Commission announced the latest round of credit allocations, totaling $81.7 million for 24 projects. The commission stated that “Michael” will generate $120 million in “qualified” in-state spending, which is more than any other project in the 14-year history of the tax credit program. The project was announced in January, with Jackson’s nephew Jaafar in the lead role. John Branca and John McClain, the executors of the Jackson estate, are producing with Graham King.
Paramount Global to Pay $122 Million to Settle Shareholder Suits Over Viacom-CBS Merger
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Paramount Global disclosed on Friday that it will pay $122.5 million to settle lawsuits from Viacom shareholders arising from the company’s merger with CBS. In a securities filing, the company revealed that it has agreed to settle the class action litigation now pending in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The settlement still requires judicial approval. The plaintiffs had alleged that Paramount Global’s chairwoman, Shari Redstone, ousted board members in a “tyrannical” effort to merge the two companies. The suit alleged that CBS stock was overpriced in the merger, and that Viacom was undervalued, causing harm to Viacom shareholders.
Georgia Lawmakers to Review State’s $1.3 Billion Film Credit
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Georgia lawmakers will take a close look at all of the state’s tax incentives — including its TV and film production program — with an eye toward reforming the ones that don’t work. Gov. Brian Kemp joined Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and House Speaker Jon Burns on Thursday to announce that a “thorough review” of tax credits will take place after the current legislative session. The announcement specifically included the $1.3 billion film credit, the state’s largest tax incentive, which has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support. Jones, who was elected in November, campaigned eliminating the state income tax, which would require either eliminating tax credits entirely or turning them into cash grants. Other lawmakers have also sought to reduce income taxes for all taxpayers by eliminating business tax credits.
California’s Film Tax Credit Aims to Punish Projects That Don’t Hit Diversity Goals
Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer California has tried using carrots to encourage film and TV productions to hire a diverse workforce. Now, for the first time, it’s getting out the sticks. Under a proposal from the governor’s office, productions that fail to meet their diversity goals will lose 4% of their tax credit allocation. The provision is part of a five-year extension of the state’s $330 million tax credit. Productions that receive the credit will be required to submit a diversity “workplan,” under which they must commit to hire a crew that is “broadly reflective” of the state’s demographics.