"In her ruling, Bashant wrote that even though Maddow used the word “literally,” she “had inserted her own colorful commentary into and throughout the segment, laughing, expressing her dismay (i.e., saying ‘I mean, what?’) and calling the segment a ‘sparkly story’ and one we must ‘take in stride.’ For her to exaggerate the facts and call OAN Russian propaganda was consistent with her tone up to that point, and the Court finds a reasonable viewer would not take the statement as factual given this context. The context of Maddow’s statement shows reasonable viewers would consider the contested statement to be her opinion.”"
That was in response to a Defamation suit brought against her for comments made about OAN's material...it was for that situation only and doesn't invalidate her reporting with David Cay Johnston on the gaps/missing info, in DJT's "leaked" tax form, which at face value seemed to paint a favorable picture of him. She, and Mr. Johnston informed the public that there was a great deal missing from that leak which could shed a different light on it...and given that DJT has fought constantly to not do what all other modern Presidents have (i.e. release their FULL tax returns), it was an example of our "Free Press"...both broadcast and print...doing their jobs.