A Florida jury has determined that CNN is liable for defaming Zachary Young, a United States Navy veteran who assisted in evacuating individuals from Afghanistan following the U.S. military's withdrawal in 2021.
The jury awarded Young $5 million in damages after a two-week trial held in Panama City, Florida. A second phase of the trial will address potential punitive damages. CNN has stated it will refrain from commenting further until the jury concludes on punitive damages.
Young's lawsuit, initiated in 2022, accused CNN of tarnishing his reputation during a segment on "The Lead with Jake Tapper," where he was labeled a profiteer exploiting vulnerable Afghans by charging high fees for evacuation services.
Despite the ruling, CNN maintained its stance that the report was accurate, although it acknowledged regretting the use of the term "black market" in reference to Young's activities. The segment implied that Young directly marketed evacuations to Afghan citizens and profited from their desperation.
Young's legal team argued that CNN's portrayal was false, asserting that he worked exclusively with corporations and NGOs. The elevated prices were attributed to increased demand for evacuation services.
According to Young, the CNN report severely damaged his career and reputation, leading to mental health challenges and significant financial losses. The verdict marks a rare instance of a media organization being found guilty in a defamation case, which typically requires plaintiffs to meet a high burden of proof.
To succeed in his claim, Young needed to demonstrate that CNN acted with knowledge of the falsehood of its reporting or with reckless disregard for the truth. He is also pursuing punitive damages, which necessitate proof of intent to cause harm.