A Florida jury has found Cable News Network (CNN) guilty of defamation in a case involving U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young and awarded him $5 million in compensatory damages.
The ruling stems from a 2021 segment aired on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” which accused Young of profiteering during evacuation efforts in Afghanistan.
The segment described Young as engaging in “black market” activities while helping Afghans flee the Taliban during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
CNN later apologized for using the term “black market” but stood by the overall accuracy of its reporting.
Before the jury could decide on punitive damages, CNN and Young reached an undisclosed settlement, closing the case.
The defamation case highlights the increasing scrutiny of media organizations and the challenges of balancing free press protections with accountability.
This ruling follows recent high-profile defamation cases involving major news networks.
saharandaily