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

A jury has found CNN liable for defaming a contractor who was accused of participating in a 'black market' for evacuation from Afghanistan.
CNN Ordered to Pay $5 Million for Defaming Contractor in Afghan Refugee Story

Click Here to read in detail


CNN has been ordered to pay $5 million for defaming a security contractor in a 2021 story about desperate Afghan refugees seeking to flee their country.

The contractor, Zachary Young, sued in 2022, alleging that his livelihood was destroyed after the network accused him of operating in a “black market.”

The jury found that CNN had defamed Young and ordered the network to pay $4 million for his loss of income, plus another $1 million in other compensatory damages. The jury also found CNN should have to pay punitive damages.

A separate proceeding is underway to determine the amount of those damages. The trial has been ongoing for the last two weeks in Panama City, Fla., on the Florida Panhandle. The jury deliberated for about seven hours before reaching its verdict.

David L. Axelrod, CNN’s attorney, told the jury that he was “disappointed” in the verdict. He urged the jury to limit its punitive damages award, noting that the network is not “unredeemable.” He also argued that the network’s worth is in “subtle decline,” given the “headwinds” faced by the entire media industry.

Popular on Variety

Kyle Roche, Young’s attorney, had urged the jury to “send a message” to the mainstream media by holding CNN liable.

“Reckless journalism is un-American,” Roche said in his opening statement. “It’s dangerous, and if media companies engage in theater in the newsroom, Americans will hold them accountable in the courtroom.”

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

The trial revealed numerous internal communications among CNN’s reporters, in which reporter Alex Marquardt referred to Young as a “mf-er” and vowed to “nail” him. Another CNN employee said that Young had a “punchable” face.

The CNN report told of Afghans who were seeking to escape the country after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Young advertised his services on LinkedIn, charging $14,500 per person in some cases. CNN argued that amount was far beyond what a typical Afghan could pay. The piece included about a minute on Young. CNN’s defense team argued that the references to Young relied almost entirely on his own words.

Jump to Comments



Miatamil

Listed here the latest Trending News

Bad Bunny Sells Out Residency at Coliseo de Puerto Rico

Bad Bunny Sells Out Residency at Coliseo de Puerto Rico

Bad Bunny has sold out all 30 dates of his massive Puerto Rico residency, 'No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí' ('I Don’t Want to Leave Here').

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
Taylor Swift Reacts To Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Scandal: 'This Attempt At Attention-Seeking Hugely Backfired'

Taylor Swift Reacts To Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Lawsuit Scandal: 'This Attempt At Attention-Seeking Hugely Backfired'

Taylor Swift is being dragged into the drama between her friend Blake Lively and her former co-star Justin Baldoni.

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
Bob the Drag Queen Shades Zac Efron's Acting Skills During Heated Traitors Roundtable - E! Online

Bob the Drag Queen Shades Zac Efron's Acting Skills During Heated Traitors Roundtable - E! Online

Bob the Drag Queen made a shady remark about Zac Efron’s acting ability during a heated exchange with the actor’s brother, Dylan Efron, during the Jan. 16 episode of The Traitors.

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
The scene Robert Downey Jr shot out of his mind on drugs

The scene Robert Downey Jr shot out of his mind on drugs

Robert Downey Jr's battles with his demons are hardly an open secret, with his substance abuse struggles refusing to subside when the cameras were rolling.

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
His 2020 Horror Flick Was a Surprise Blockbuster. Will His Follow-Up Leave You Transformed?

His 2020 Horror Flick Was a Surprise Blockbuster. Will His Follow-Up Leave You Transformed?

How does the movie measure up to its filmmaker’s long list of horror hits, including Saw and Insidious?

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
As I Lay Dying's Tim Lambesis gives first interview since split with band members:

As I Lay Dying's Tim Lambesis gives first interview since split with band members: "I don't want pity"

As I Lay Dying's Tim Lambesis has given his first interview following the departure of his former bandmates. 

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
'Corrie exits are nothing to worry about - the big twists are still to come'

'Corrie exits are nothing to worry about - the big twists are still to come'

Coronation Street fans be warned, as The Mirror is about to reveal all on some big twists ahead and some explosive plots in what's to be an epic year for the ITV soap

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
Martha Stewart and I Wear the Cool-Girl Denim Brand That's on Double-Discount Sale

Martha Stewart and I Wear the Cool-Girl Denim Brand That's on Double-Discount Sale

Celebrities like Martha Stewart, Jennifer Aniston, and Kendall Jenner all wear Rag and Bone jeans and apparel. Shop the brand’s best-selling denim on sale, up to 64 percent off.

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
Sun experts reveal what Trump could mean for America - & the rest of the world

Sun experts reveal what Trump could mean for America - & the rest of the world

ON Monday, a new dawn rises over America. Donald Trump will move back into the White House as he officially becomes ­President of the United States?.?.?.?again. He goes down in history as only the 


Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram
Taylor Swift live updates: Katy Perry ‘loved’ ex-frenemy’s Eras Tour concert in Australia

Taylor Swift live updates: Katy Perry ‘loved’ ex-frenemy’s Eras Tour concert in Australia

Calling all Swifties: Follow Page Six’s live updates for all the latest Taylor Swift news, photos and more.

Read more >> : Cick here

Share on : 👇
Twitter (X) Facebook truthsocial gettr pinterest whatsapp telegram


These hashtags listed here are the most popular shared hashtags on Worldwide


Twitter (X), Inc. was an American social media company based in San Francisco, California, which operated and was named for its flagship social media network prior to its rebrand as X. In addition to Twitter, the company previously operated the Vine short video app and Periscope livestreaming service

Twitter (X) is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 619 million monthly active users worldwide. One of the most exciting features of Twitter (X) is the ability to see what topics are trending in real-time. Twitter trends are a fascinating way to stay up to date on what people are talking about on the platform, and they can also be a valuable tool for businesses and individuals to stay relevant and informed. In this article, we will discuss Twitter (X) trends, how they work, and how you can use them to your advantage.

What are Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are a list of topics that are currently being talked about on the platform and also world. The topics on this list change in real-time and are based on the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be localized to a Worldwide country or region or can be global, depending on the topic's popularity.

How Do Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends Work?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are generated by an algorithm that analyzes the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. When the algorithm detects a sudden increase in tweets using a specific hashtag or keyword, it considers that topic to be trending.

Once a topic is identified as trending, it is added to the list of Twitter (X) Worldwide trends. The topics on this list are ranked based on their popularity, with the most popular topics appearing at the top of the list.

Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be filtered by location or category, allowing users to see what topics are trending in their area or in a particular industry. Additionally, users can click on a trending topic to see all of the tweets using that hashtag or keyword.