A Florida jury on Friday found CNN guilty of libeling a U.S. Navy veteran in a 2021 story about people paid to rescue endangered Afghans following the Taliban takeover of that country.
The jury in Panama City, Florida, deliberated for more than eight hours starting Thursday before ruling in favor of Zachary Young, who blamed CNN for destroying his business by showing his face onscreen in a story about a “black market” of smuggling out desperate Afghans for high fees.
The jury has awarded Young $5 million in damages and is now being asked to determine whether CNN must pay additional punitive damages.
It was an unusual guilty ruling against a media outlet in a defamation case. Libel laws are generally protective of news organizations, and plaintiffs must meet a high standard to prove defamation.
Young had argued that his business targeted sponsors who could afford to pay for Afghans to get out, not individual Afghans charged as much as $10,000 for the service. While CNN said it was wrong to use the phrase “black market,” it contended that its reporting on Young was accurate.
“I know Zach feels heard in a way that he hasn’t felt for over three years,” Young’s lawyer, Devin Freedman, said after the verdict.
In a recent trial in Florida, CNN was found guilty of libeling a Navy veteran in a story about his time in Afghanistan. The veteran, who served multiple tours in the war-torn country, was falsely accused of committing heinous acts during his time overseas.
Despite the veteran’s repeated denials and attempts to set the record straight, CNN continued to report on the false allegations, damaging his reputation and causing irreparable harm to his personal and professional life.
The jury in the trial unanimously ruled in favor of the veteran, awarding him a substantial amount in damages for the harm caused by CNN’s irresponsible reporting. The verdict serves as a stark reminder of the importance of journalistic integrity and the consequences of spreading misinformation.
This case highlights the need for media outlets to thoroughly fact-check their stories and ensure the accuracy of their reporting, especially when it comes to sensitive and potentially damaging information. The veteran in this case deserved better treatment from CNN, and the verdict sends a clear message that defamation and libel will not be tolerated.
Tags:
- CNN lawsuit
- Florida trial
- Libel case
- Navy veteran
- Afghan story
- Legal news
- Media ethics
- False reporting
- Journalism standards
- Court ruling
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