Fox News disputed the claims of a former employee on Friday. The reporter alleged that the network targeted and fired him for challenging false claims about the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Last month, Jason Donner filed a lawsuit for discrimination and retaliation. However, the network argues that he has not shown he faced illegal discrimination.
The lawyers of Fox argued that Donner did not provide evidence that he had joined a political party or that his employers were aware of his political affiliations.
“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.
Additionally, the network raised concerns about whether he had adequately informed managers when he took sick leave after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and whether he filed the lawsuit within the legally allowed time frame.
Donner joined Fox News in 2010 and worked his way up to become a Capitol Hill reporter and producer. Nonetheless, in the fall of 2022, the network terminated his employment. He was appointed senior adviser to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) after his departure.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
