CNN Found Liable in Defamation Case Against Navy Veteran

A jury found CNN liable for defamation against Navy veteran Zachary Young due to internal communications that revealed a bias against him in a November 2021 report. The jurors, led by Katy Svitenko, were influenced by derogatory texts from CNN staff, including messages expressing a desire to harm Young's reputation, which they deemed as evidence of malice. The report falsely implied that Young profited illegally while helping evacuate Afghans during the U.S. military withdrawal, labeling him as greedy and exploitative. Svitenko noted that the tone of the communications resembled 'middle school name-calling' and emphasized that it swayed the jury's decision to award $5 million in damages. Following the verdict, the jury allowed for a second phase to consider punitive damages. Young and CNN reportedly reached a settlement shortly after the jury's ruling.