Fox News Anchor Ed Henry denies defamation lawsuit against NPR and CNN

Former Fox News host Ed Henry, who was fired by the network in 2020 for alleged sexual misconduct, has dropped a defamation lawsuit against NPR and CNN.

Henry initially alleged last year that journalists at the two outlets – which prompted NPR media reporter David Folkenflik, CNN chief media correspondent Brian Stelter and host Alisyn Camerota – to have a “grudge” long-standing enmity against Fox News and/or individuals associated with the company.” report your dismissal.

Specifically, the lawsuit refers to Folkenflik’s July 2020 report that top Fox executives were warned in 2017 about promoting Henry years before he was fired, a story which Stelter and Camerota discussed online. Henry considers NPR’s story defamatory because it shows he “has a history of sexual misconduct at Fox News,” which he asserts is untrue.

Last week, as revealed by Folkenflik on WednesdayHenry’s case is voluntarily removed “with prejudice”, which means the former Fox star cannot reopen the lawsuit against the parties involved.

“NPR gives me the support and freedom of independent reporting, even if it’s uncomfortable,” Folkenflik tweeted on Wednesday afternoon. “I would like to thank the leaders, board, and company of NPR for their unwavering support in this case and in an earlier case involving another former Fox figure who was sued me – also unsuccessful.” In addition, he also noted that NPR “didn’t miss a single syllable” in its report and that “the story lives on”.

In a separate comment to The Daily Beast, Folkenflik said that in the “current context, many lawsuits against journalists and news organizations are driven by a public relations strategy rather than a grassroots basis.” strong legislation.” He also expressed appreciation for his shop for sticking with him and his reporting.

“In this case, NPR and I feel confident that we will win the court case. Just as importantly, we stick with our guns because our reporting is reasonable and relevant,” added the NPR reporter. “I admire NPR’s unwavering commitment to providing its audience with such coverage – and appreciate the hard work that everyone does behind the scenes to preserve the space. do that.”

Henry, who now works for the fringe TV channel Real America Voice, still faces a lawsuit from former Fox Business employee Jennifer Eckhart, who has accused Henry of rape and revenge. A judge ruled last September that Eckhart’s case could continue.