In a significant development, the voting technology company Smartmatic has reached a confidential settlement in its lawsuit against conservative cable television network One America News (OANN) regarding its coverage of the 2020 election. The resolution of the case was confirmed by Smartmatic's lead attorney, J. Erik Connolly, in a written statement. Charles L. Babcock, representing OANN, also acknowledged the settlement without providing further details.

The lawsuit against OANN, filed in November 2021, was part of a series of legal actions aimed at right-leaning television networks that broadcasted unverified or debunked claims of voting fraud linked to attorneys associated with former President Donald Trump. Smartmatic, based in Florida, pursued separate litigation against Fox News Channel and Newsmax, with those cases still ongoing according to court dockets. It is worth noting that Smartmatic's involvement in the 2020 election was limited to Los Angeles County, despite unfounded suggestions by pro-Trump advisers and media figures that it meddled nationwide.

Smartmatic's lawsuit alleged that OANN knowingly disseminated false information about the company despite lacking any evidence to support their claims. The voting technology firm argued that OANN's coverage not only damaged its reputation but also caused significant long-term financial harm. Smartmatic contended that OANN made baseless connections to voter fraud allegations in an attempt to boost ratings.

OANN, owned by Herring Networks, had consistently denied the validity of Smartmatic's allegations, maintaining that its reporting was centered on newsworthy election events. While OANN's viewership is significantly smaller compared to Fox News, the network holds influence within conservative political circles. Nevertheless, its outreach diminished after being dropped by cable companies DirecTV and Verizon Fios in 2022.

The settlement with OANN follows Dominion Voting Systems' settlement with Fox News in April 2023, amounting to a staggering $787.5 million. Dominion has also filed a lawsuit against Newsmax, which is expected to proceed to trial later this year.

Fox News and Smartmatic have recently engaged in disputes concerning the exchange of sensitive internal communications and documents. Both parties are required to complete this process, along with conducting interviews with company officials and industry experts, during the summer. A trial date is expected for 2025.

The resolution of the lawsuit between Smartmatic and OANN indicates a growing effort by voting technology companies to address what they view as damaging misinformation and falsehoods surrounding their involvement in the 2020 election. As legal battles continue and settlements are reached, the impact on the media landscape and public discourse remains a subject of ongoing scrutiny.