CNN liable for defamation over story on Afghanistan ‘black market’ rescues

WASHINGTON: A Florida jury on Friday found TV news provider CNN liable for defaming a US Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after the US military withdrew from the country in 2021.The six-person jury said CNN had to pay damages totaling $5 million. There will be a second phase of the trial to determine any punitive damages. The verdict followed a two-week trial in Panama City, Florida, state court.

A CNN representative said the network would not comment until the jury decided punitive damages.

Plaintiff Zachary Young sued CNN in 2022, accusing the Warner Bros Discovery WBD.O unit of destroying his reputation in a segment on “The Lead with Jake Tapper” by branding him as a profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans by charging exorbitant fees.

CNN stood by its story and denied defaming Young, though the network said in March 2022 that it regretted using the term “black market” to describe Young’s work.

The case stems from Young’s work as a security consultant helping corporations and charities extract people from Afghanistan after the Taliban swiftly took back control following the chaotic US withdrawal.

In a segment on The Lead, CNN said “desperate Afghans” trying to escape the country were being “exploited” with “exorbitant” and “impossible” fees charged for evacuations.

The segment turned to focus on Young, displaying his name and photo next to a chyron saying evacuees faced a perilous “black market.”

“The sum and substance of the segment states and implies that Young marketed evacuations directly to Afghan citizens, that he exploited Afghan citizens, and that he sold them illegal goods/services on a black market,” Young said in his lawsuit.

Young’s lawyers said CNN’s characterization of his work as illegal or exploitative was false and that he told the network repeatedly that he only worked with corporations and non-governmental groups trying to get their people out. The high prices were due to high demand, Young said.