CNN Ordered to Pay $5 Million for Defaming Contractor in Afghan Refugee Story

A court ruling mandated CNN to compensate a security contractor the sum of $5 million, as they were accused of damaging his reputation in a news article published in 2021 regarding Afghan refugees attempting to escape their homeland in distress.

2022 saw Zachary Young filing a lawsuit, claiming that his business was severely impacted when the network implicated him in an alleged “unauthorized market” operation.

The jury determined that CNN had slandered Young and decided that the network must compensate him with a total of $5 million – $4 million for lost earnings and an additional $1 million for other forms of compensatory damages. Moreover, the jury added that CNN ought to pay punitive damages as well.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been following closely the trial that’s been unfolding over the past two weeks in Panama City, Florida, along the beautiful Florida Panhandle. After intensive deliberations spanning approximately seven hours, the jury has finally reached a verdict regarding the damages that have been the focus of this separate proceeding.

David L. Axelrod, representing CNN, expressed his dissatisfaction with the verdict to the jury. He pleaded for a moderate punitive damages award, emphasizing that the network is not beyond reproach. Additionally, he contended that the network’s value has been subtly decreasing due to the challenges confronted by the media industry as a whole.

Kyle Roche, Young’s lawyer, encouraged the jury to convey a clear message by finding CNN accountable for their actions.

In a strong statement, Roche expressed that irresponsible reporting goes against our American values. He warned it’s risky, and if news organizations indulge in dramatic performances within their workplaces, the American public will take legal action against them.

CNN’s lawyers defended the coverage as “tough” but “fair and accurate.”

The trial uncovered many private conversations between CNN’s journalists, where journalist Alex Marquardt called the individual “a certain person” an offensive slur and pledged to “expose” or “catch” him. Another CNN staff member commented that the same person had a face that seemed like it could be punched.

As a film enthusiast, I recently came across a CNN report detailing the plight of Afghans trying to flee their homeland following the Taliban takeover in 2021. One individual, known as Young, was offering assistance for a hefty fee, up to $14,500 per person in certain instances. The report suggested that this price was exorbitant and beyond the reach of a typical Afghan citizen. Interestingly, the CNN piece featured approximately a minute’s worth of information about Young. In defense, the CNN team stated that their references to Young were predominantly based on his own words.

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2025-01-17 20:46