Tampa, FL — A Florida jury has found CNN guilty of defaming security consultant Zachary Young, a Navy veteran, leading to a rapid settlement by the news network hours after Young was awarded $5 million in damages. The case revolved around a CNN report aired in 2021 discussing the chaotic evacuation of Afghans during the U.S.’s military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Judge William Henry declared the settlement during the trial’s second phase, which aimed to determine the amount of punitive damages CNN might face. Details of the settlement have not been disclosed.
The case spotlighted the November 11, 2021 airing of the CNN story by journalist Alexander Marquardt, which was rebroadcast three times and accompanied by social media and digital article exposure. It included a chyron statement about the “black market” demands placed on Afghans trying to escape the Taliban, implicating Young by displaying his image during the broadcast.
The trial hinged on the interpretation of the term “black market,” which jurors deliberated as possibly suggestive of illegal or criminal activities. CNN made an on-air apology in March 2022, clarifying their unintentional suggestion that Young was involved in illicit dealings. Despite the apology, the lawsuit escalated to the recently concluded trial.
Throughout the trial, CNN’s defense maintained that the term “black market” accurately described the unregulated efforts to assist Afghans outside official evacuation protocols. CNN’s lead attorney, David Axelrod, argued that the phrase was used in the broader context of chaotic and desperate situations, similar to a secondary market for event tickets.
However, Young’s attorney, Devin Freedman, contended that CNN’s portrayal led to devastating personal and professional consequences for Young, who reportedly did not profit from the evacuations and collaborated with organizations to fund them. Freedman argued that CNN’s coverage damaged Young’s ability to work, strained his personal relationships, and caused severe emotional distress.
During the proceedings, an internal message from Marquardt before the publication of the controversial report was revealed, stating a resolve to incriminate Young. This, according to Freedman, demonstrated a malicious intent behind the story.
While CNN faced significant financial penalties indicated by the initial $5 million award for defamation, the undisclosed terms of the settlement have closed this chapter for both parties, though the reputational impact lingers. CNN reaffirmed its commitment to fearless and fair journalism, acknowledging the case as a learning opportunity.
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