In a bold move against Fox News, Hunter Biden's legal team demands the network retract sexually explicit content and erroneous allegations aired about him.
CNN reported that Hunter Biden's attorneys have formally requested Fox News to eliminate illicit images and correct false bribery accusations involving him and President Joe Biden.
Hunter Biden's legal team alleges the network has unlawfully published sexually explicit images and purported a bribery narrative implicating him and his father in international schemes.
The images in question show Hunter Biden in compromising situations and have been disseminated across Fox News platforms. These images, as per the letter from his attorneys, were obtained through hacking, which qualifies their publication as a violation of revenge porn laws. Moreover, the letter details a televised mock trial from 2022 on Fox Nation, a Fox News streaming service, which showcased these allegations.
The accusations revolve around a supposed bribery operation abroad, spotlighting both Hunter and President Biden. This narrative, according to Biden's attorneys, lacks factual basis and leans heavily on statements from an FBI informant named Alexander Smirnov. Smirnov, however, has recently been indicted for falsifying details about the bribery plot.
Despite Smirnov's indictment, Fox News has persisted in promoting the bribery story. The network defends its coverage under the First Amendment, asserting the accuracy of its reporting on these highly public events. Meanwhile, Biden's legal representatives criticize Fox News for not retracting the bribery story after the informant's credibility was undermined.
"For the last five years, Fox News has relentlessly attacked Hunter Biden and made him a caricature in order to boost ratings and for its financial gain," stated Hunter Biden’s attorneys Mark Geragos, Bryan Freedman, and Tina Glandian.
The legal notice also demands that Fox News amend online articles with editor's notes regarding the indictment and execute on-air corrections by its notable hosts. This demand stems from the continuing damage perceived by Hunter Biden's legal team due to the network's reporting.
"FOX knows that these private and confidential images were hacked, stolen, and/or manipulated digital material," claim Biden's attorneys, pointing to a deliberate misuse of sensitive content.
Adding to the dispute, the legal team articulates that Fox News has not only maintained the debunked bribery claims but also used Smirnov’s legal troubles to suggest a larger conspiracy, implying an attempt to intimidate whistleblowers and criticize the FBI.
Hunter Biden's response through his legal and public relations strategy involves not only suing his detractors but also calling for investigations into those propagating these unfounded claims. His team's aggressive approach suggests a readiness to engage in prolonged legal battles if necessary.
"Consistent with the First Amendment, Fox News has accurately covered these highly publicized events as well as the subsequent indictment of an FBI informant who was the source of certain claims made about Mr. Biden," a Fox News Media spokesperson explained, standing by the network's reporting.
The narrative around Hunter Biden has been fraught with public and legal scrutiny, with each development extensively covered by media outlets, particularly Fox News. This situation underscores the intense media focus on public figures and the legal boundaries of such coverage.
In the continuing saga, the outcomes of these legal demands remain to be seen, as both sides stand firm in their positions. The case highlights significant issues surrounding privacy, media responsibility, and the scope of freedom of speech in reporting on public figures.
In conclusion, Hunter Biden's legal team is pushing vigorously against Fox News to retract unauthorized images and correct misleading allegations about him and his father, which might set precedents for how media outlets handle hacked or unlawfully obtained material and its consequences on privacy rights and defamation claims.
