Florida Jury Finds CNN Liable for Defamation in Navy Veteran Case
A jury in Florida has delivered an unexpected verdict, ruling that CNN defamed a U.S. Navy veteran in their 2021 coverage of individuals involved in rescuing Afghans from Taliban-held Afghanistan. The case marks a rare defeat for a media organization in defamation lawsuits, which are notoriously difficult for plaintiffs due to strong protections for press freedom under U.S. libel laws.
The Panama City jury deliberated for over eight hours before siding with Zachary Young, who claimed that CNN’s report damaged his business by falsely portraying him. Young’s image was featured in a story discussing a “black market” for evacuating Afghans, with exorbitant fees allegedly being charged. The jury awarded Young $5 million in damages, and discussions are ongoing to determine if additional punitive damages will be imposed on CNN.
Young defended his operations, asserting that his services were aimed at sponsors capable of funding Afghan evacuations, rather than charging individual Afghans up to $10,000. Although CNN admitted that the term “black market” was a misstep, it maintained that its portrayal of Young was accurate. The network has refrained from commenting on the verdict until the punitive damages phase concludes.
The trial took place in a conservative area, where Young’s legal team encouraged jurors to hold the media accountable. Juror-submitted questions indicated skepticism towards CNN, with one query challenging whether the network presumed Young’s guilt from the outset. The proceedings also highlighted internal communications, wherein CNN reporter Alex Marquardt expressed derogatory opinions about Young. During his testimony, Marquardt insisted that his report was not intended as a “hit piece.”
First broadcast on November 11, 2021, during Jake Tapper’s show on CNN, Marquardt’s story was later published on the network’s website. Defamation lawsuits are relatively uncommon in the U.S., partly due to the high burden of proof required to establish libel. Many media executives are wary of the risks associated with going to trial.
For example, ABC News recently opted to settle a defamation case by paying $15 million to former President Donald Trump, rather than defending comments made by George Stephanopoulos. ABC’s parent company, Walt Disney Co., decided that an extended legal battle was not in its best interest. Similarly, Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787 million just as a trial was about to commence in 2023, over claims of inaccurate election reporting.
As the jury’s decision stands, legal teams are reviewing CNN’s financial condition during the punitive damages phase of the trial.
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