CNN was found liable for defamation in a Panama City, Florida, court on Friday — and the network was ordered to pay out $5 million to the plaintiff, Navy veteran Zachary Young.

The jury found that CNN had defamed Young — and had done so intentionally and without concern for the impact their actions could have on Young.

WATCH:

As reported by Newsbusters, the jury determined that CNN had “demonstrated expressed malice, actual malice, and outrageous behavior, which opened the door for a massive punitive damages judgement.”

The network was ordered to pay Young “$4 million in economic damages and $1 million in emotional damages,” with the determination of punitive damages still to come.

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The defamation came when the network went ahead with a segment focused on his work aiding in high-risk evacuations from Afghanistan in the wake of President Joe Biden’s disastrous withdrawal. In that report, put together by chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, Young had been singled out as the poster boy for “exploiting” desperate Afghans who wanted to flee from the Taliban-controlled country.

The segment initially ran on November 11, 2021, as part of “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” and the anchor introduced the story as follows:

In our world today, the U.S. government, the Biden administration says that as of last week, it had assisted in the departure of at least 377 U.S. citizens and 279 lawful permanent residents of the U.S. from Afghanistan since August 31st. Still, many Afghans, Afghans who desperately want to flee Taliban rule and Afghans who say their lives are at stake, they remain behind. As CNN’s Alex Marquardt has discovered, Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success.

After he was introduced, Marquardt doubled down on the characterization of Young as someone who was willing to take advantage of desperate people to make a quick buck.

According to Afghans and activists we’ve spoken with, desperate Afghans are being exploited like that young man, told they can get them or their families out if they pay exorbitant, often impossible amounts. One LinkedIn user posted messages with Young, where Young said it would be $75,000 for a car to Pakistan. He told another it would be 14 and a half thousand per person to get to the United Arab Emirates or Albania for another 4,000. Prices well beyond the reach of most Afghans.

As the trial played out, however, the jury saw evidence that Young had done nothing of the sort — and that it was likely at least a few people at CNN were well aware of that when the story went to air.

Internal messages from some of those involved with green lighting and reporting the story also showed that the intent was to damage Young’s reputation.

The trial continued on Friday with witnesses testifying on the subject of punitive damages that could yet be awarded.

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​[[{“value”:”

CNN was found liable for defamation in a Panama City, Florida, court on Friday — and the network was ordered to pay out $5 million to the plaintiff, Navy veteran Zachary Young.

The jury found that CNN had defamed Young — and had done so intentionally and without concern for the impact their actions could have on Young.

WATCH:

As reported by Newsbusters, the jury determined that CNN had “demonstrated expressed malice, actual malice, and outrageous behavior, which opened the door for a massive punitive damages judgement.”

The network was ordered to pay Young “$4 million in economic damages and $1 million in emotional damages,” with the determination of punitive damages still to come.

CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT

The defamation came when the network went ahead with a segment focused on his work aiding in high-risk evacuations from Afghanistan in the wake of President Joe Biden’s disastrous withdrawal. In that report, put together by chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, Young had been singled out as the poster boy for “exploiting” desperate Afghans who wanted to flee from the Taliban-controlled country.

The segment initially ran on November 11, 2021, as part of “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” and the anchor introduced the story as follows:

In our world today, the U.S. government, the Biden administration says that as of last week, it had assisted in the departure of at least 377 U.S. citizens and 279 lawful permanent residents of the U.S. from Afghanistan since August 31st. Still, many Afghans, Afghans who desperately want to flee Taliban rule and Afghans who say their lives are at stake, they remain behind. As CNN’s Alex Marquardt has discovered, Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success.

After he was introduced, Marquardt doubled down on the characterization of Young as someone who was willing to take advantage of desperate people to make a quick buck.

According to Afghans and activists we’ve spoken with, desperate Afghans are being exploited like that young man, told they can get them or their families out if they pay exorbitant, often impossible amounts. One LinkedIn user posted messages with Young, where Young said it would be $75,000 for a car to Pakistan. He told another it would be 14 and a half thousand per person to get to the United Arab Emirates or Albania for another 4,000. Prices well beyond the reach of most Afghans.

As the trial played out, however, the jury saw evidence that Young had done nothing of the sort — and that it was likely at least a few people at CNN were well aware of that when the story went to air.

Internal messages from some of those involved with green lighting and reporting the story also showed that the intent was to damage Young’s reputation.

The trial continued on Friday with witnesses testifying on the subject of punitive damages that could yet be awarded.

“}]] 

 

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