The plaintiff had accused CNN of damaging his reputation by labeling him a profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans.
Television news provider CNN has reached a settlement with a U.S. Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after U.S. troops withdrew from the country in 2021, a jury has ruled that the television news station defamed him. The judge made the announcement several hours after finding him liable.
A six-person jury ruled Friday that CNN must pay a total of $5 million in damages. The settlement avoids a second stage of trial, where punitive damages could have been determined. The verdict was reached after a two-week trial in state court in Panama City, Florida.
Circuit Judge William Henry did not provide details of the agreement when announcing the settlement in open court Friday.
Plaintiff Zachary Young sued CNN in 2022, complaining that Warner Bros.’ Discovery division was charging him exorbitant fees for the show’s segment “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” They accused him of tarnishing his reputation by labeling him a profiteer who exploited Afghans.
Although CNN stands by its report and denies defamation of Young, the network regrets that it used the term “black market” to describe Young’s work in March 2022. said.
unusual conviction
The case stems from Young’s work as a security consultant helping businesses and charities evacuate people from Afghanistan after the Taliban quickly regained control following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal. .
CNN reported on The Lead that “desperate Afghans” attempting to flee the country are being “exploited” by being charged “exorbitant” and “impossible” fees for evacuation.
The segment focused on Young, displaying his name and photo next to Chiron, who said evacuees face a dangerous “black market.”
“The sum and substance of this section states and suggests that Young directly marketed refuge to Afghan nationals, exploited Afghan nationals, and sold illegal goods and services on the black market,” Young wrote in the lawsuit. I mentioned it in the.
Young’s lawyers say CNN was wrong to describe his work as illegal or exploitative, and that he has accused the agency of collaborating with companies and non-governmental groups trying to force citizens out of the country. He said he repeatedly told them that he was just there. Young said the high prices were due to high demand.
Young said the CNN show destroyed his reputation and career, caused depression and panic attacks, and cost him millions of dollars in income.
This was an unprecedented conviction against a news organization in a defamation lawsuit. Defamation laws generally protect news organizations, and plaintiffs must meet a high standard to prove defamation.
To win the case, Young would have to prove that CNN knew or should have known that the report was false but reported it anyway. It also sought punitive damages aimed at punishing the defendants and required Young to prove CNN intended to harm him.
The case went to trial after a judge rejected CNN’s bid to dismiss the case and allowed Young to seek punitive and compensatory damages, a decision upheld by an appeals court. It was done.