A jury in Florida delivered a significant ruling against CNN, finding that the network defamed Zachary Young, a U.S. Navy veteran involved in helping Afghan refugees. To circumvent a potentially severe punitive damage ruling, CNN agreed to a settlement on Friday. This development represents a notable blow for the struggling news outlet, particularly amidst an upcoming presidential term for Donald Trump, known for inciting animosity towards media institutions among his supporters.
The jury, convened in Panama City, Florida, took over eight hours to deliberate after a trial lasting nearly two weeks. Young attributed the collapse of his business to CNN’s reporting, specifically a segment aired in 2021 by Jake Tapper that discussed a purported “black market” for extracting Afghans in peril following the Taliban’s return to power. After the ruling, Young’s lawyer, Kyle Roche, expressed that the verdict offered Young a sense of validation, a feeling he had not experienced in over three years.
The jury awarded Young a total of $5 million in compensatory damages. Just as the trial was set to enter its next phase, which centered on punitive damages, Circuit Court Judge William S. Henry announced that the parties had reached a settlement, the specifics of which remain undisclosed. In response, CNN stated that they continue to take pride in their journalism and are committed to honest reporting, while also considering the lessons learned from this case.
Young’s enterprise focused on facilitating the escape of vulnerable individuals from Afghanistan, relying on well-funded sponsors such as Bloomberg and Audible for support. However, CNN’s story implicated him in illegal activities by showcasing his image while largely addressing the exorbitant fees—upwards of $10,000—charged by others for similar services. Young conveyed during the trial that being labeled “black market” suggested criminality, stating, “It’s devastating if you’re labeled a criminal all over the world.”
While CNN maintained that their reports were accurate and fair, they did issue an apology months after the segment aired regarding the use of the term “black market.” The trial took place in a predominantly conservative area, where Young’s attorneys pressed jurors to convey a strong message to the media sector. Some jurors expressed frustration during the trial, with one questioning whether CNN had treated the plaintiff as if he were guilty without proving his innocence.
Private communications also emerged during the trial, where internal messages from CNN’s reporter, Alex Marquardt, revealed derogatory remarks about Young. Marquardt defended the November 2021 story, asserting it was not intended as a “hit piece.” Defamation cases are uncommon in the U.S. due to robust constitutional safeguards that complicate proving libel. Many news organizations, aware of the risks, often prefer settlements over confronting a legal battle in court.
Upon announcing the settlement, Judge Henry shared a note from the jurors, humorously referencing their impatience, which prompted laughter in the courtroom. Previous cases illustrate this trend, such as ABC News opting to settle with Trump for $15 million regarding remarks made by George Stephanopoulos. Similarly, Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million over defamation claims regarding the 2020 presidential election.
