CNN found liable for $5 million in defamation trial against US Navy veteran over Afghanistan report
SUMMARY
A Florida jury found CNN liable for defaming U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young in a report accusing him of involvement in “black market” evacuations from Afghanistan. Young sued after the 2021 story portrayed him as an “illegal profiteer,” alleging it ruined his reputation and career. The jury awarded him $5 million in compensatory damages and will determine punitive damages next. CNN argued the term “black market” referred to an unregulated market and was not meant to imply criminality, though Young contended it falsely suggested wrongdoing. Internal messages revealed CNN reporters mocked Young, which the network dismissed as newsroom banter. Young’s lawyers argued the story’s inaccuracies caused psychological and financial harm, urging accountability. CNN issued an on-air apology months after the story aired but maintained its reporting was factual. This case follows another high-profile defamation settlement involving ABC News and raises concerns about media accountability.
