Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch Ordered to Testify in Upcoming Fox News Defamation Trial by Delaware Judge

A Delaware judge has ruled that Fox Corporation executives Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch must testify in the upcoming defamation trial against Fox News. The trial is being brought by Dominion Voting Systems, which alleges that Fox News defamed them by claiming that their voting systems illegally rigged the 2020 election.

Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis said Wednesday in a public hearing that if Dominion subpoenas the Murdochs to testify in-person, he would not quash those subpoenas, and the Murdochs would need to show up to the courthouse. He added that it would be his discretion to compel them to testify.

Dominion’s attorneys asked the court to compel live testimony from the Murdochs, former House Speaker Paul Ryan, who sits on the board of Fox Corp., and Viet Dinh, a Fox Corp. executive, in a letter to the court on Wednesday. Judge Davis said that all four could be compelled to testify.

The defamation trial is scheduled to begin on May 24th. It is unclear if the Murdochs will be required to testify in person or if they will be allowed to testify remotely. The outcome of the trial could have major implications for Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation.

The case is being closely watched by media and legal experts, as it could set a precedent for how media companies are held accountable for their reporting. It is also a major test of the power of the Murdochs, who have long been seen as untouchable in the media industry.