Afghan

"First Amendment Clash: Producers of Retrograde Fight Lawsuit Over Afghan Subject’s Fatality Amid Complex Ethical Dilemmas"

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Washington, D.C. — Producers of the documentary Retrograde, which chronicles the concluding months of the United States’ two-decade involvement in Afghanistan, are invoking First Amendment rights in response to a lawsuit regarding the death of one of its featured subjects. The lawsuit alleges that the Taliban tracked and killed Omar, an Afghan minesweeper, after he appeared in the documentary. Omar was part of a group tasked with ensuring the safety of Green Berets and was depicted in a segment expressing fears of Taliban retribution upon his return to civilian life. A clip from this part … Read more

Jury Rules in Favor of Navy Veteran, CNN Found Liable for Defamation in Coverage of Afghan Refugee Crisis

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A jury has ruled that CNN defamed a Navy veteran during a broadcast segment that focused on Afghan refugees. The decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over media accountability and the treatment of veterans in news reporting. The veteran, identified as Don Brown, was implicated by CNN in alleged inappropriate conduct involving the process of evacuating Afghan nationals during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Brown, who has vehemently denied all such accusations, pursued legal action against the network claiming that the false allegations had damaged his reputation and livelihood. During the trial, … Read more

Jury Orders CNN to Pay $5 Million for Defamation in Case Involving Afghan Refugee Story, Settles on Punitive Damages

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Panama City, Fla. — A Florida jury on Friday ruled in favor of a security contractor, Zachary Young, mandating CNN to pay $5 million for defamation linked to a 2021 story addressing the plight of Afghan refugees. The lawsuit alleged that CNN’s story harmed Young’s professional reputation by inaccurately portraying his business operations in a negative light. The story in question aired as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, leading to a chaotic exodus of those fearing for their future under the regime. Young, who provided evacuation services, came under scrutiny for allegedly operating in … Read more

CNN Settles for $5 Million After Jury Finds Network Defamed Navy Veteran Amid Chaotic Afghan Evacuations

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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 … Read more