A Florida Jury Finds CNN Guilty of Libeling U.S. Navy Veteran in 2021 Story

A Florida jury on Friday delivered a landmark verdict, finding CNN guilty of libeling a U.S. Navy veteran in a 2021 story about individuals paid to rescue endangered Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

The jury in Panama City, Florida, deliberated for over eight hours before ruling in favor of Zachary Young, the Navy veteran who accused CNN of damaging his business by featuring his face in a story about a supposed “black market” for smuggling desperate Afghans out of the country for exorbitant fees.

As a result of the verdict, Young has been awarded $5 million in damages, with the jury now considering whether CNN should pay additional punitive damages.

This verdict is a rare occurrence in a defamation case involving a media outlet. Libel laws typically provide strong protections for news organizations, with plaintiffs facing a high burden of proof to establish defamation.

Young contended that his business targeted sponsors capable of funding the evacuation of Afghans, rather than charging individual Afghans up to $10,000 for the service. While CNN admitted to the inaccuracy of using the term “black market,” it maintained that its reporting on Young was factually correct.

“I know Zach feels vindicated in a way he hasn’t felt in over three years,” stated Devin Freedman, Young’s lawyer, following the verdict.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate and responsible journalism, as well as the potential consequences for media outlets that fail to uphold these standards. The verdict highlights the significance of ethical reporting practices and the impact of misinformation on individuals and businesses.