Zachary Young, after a prolonged legal confrontation, has won his defamation lawsuit against CNN.
According to Fox News, Zachary Young, a U.S. Navy veteran, prevailed in his defamation case against CNN, and was awarded significant compensatory and undisclosed punitive damages following a jury verdict in Panama City, Florida.
The legal battle, which captured widespread media attention, spanned two weeks and concluded with over eight hours of jury deliberation. The jury found in favor of Young, awarding him $5 million in total, covering both lost earnings and personal damages for pain and suffering.
The proceedings took a dramatic turn when the jury also determined that punitive damages were appropriate, suggesting CNN’s actions warranted further penalty. During the second phase of the trial, before the amount was finalized, a settlement was reached between Young and the media giant, though the terms were not disclosed publicly.
An expert witness suggested during the trial that $150 million would be fair to serve as punitive damages. This aspect underscores the severity with which the jury viewed CNN's actions. In 2021, CNN aired a report linking Young to illicit activities in the "black market" during the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan. This report, led by correspondent Alex Marquardt, formed the basis of Young's defamation claim.
Evidence presented at trial included internal CNN communications which revealed that some staff members held and expressed a marked hostility toward Young, including intentions to harm his professional reputation. This hostility was seemingly reflected in the news coverage, which Young argued had unjustly defamed him and significantly impacted his life and career.
Following the verdict, Zachary Young expressed relief and satisfaction at the outcome. "I'm glad it's over. Feeling very, very, very good," he stated, highlighting the toll the prolonged legal process had taken on him and his eagerness to move forward.
Young elaborated on his feelings regarding the trial's resolution:
"It's been a long three years, and to have the outcome that we wanted, which was vindication publicly, is an incredible feeling. And I'm glad that it's over, and we don't have to spend more years and more time arguing about the meaning of a word."
He added, "I think that this was a good outcome for both of us. I'm able to get on with my life now, and I hadn't been able to even imagine what that would look like or feel like for a very long time. I'm still kind of wondering what that is gonna feel like when the dust settles. But in terms of animosity towards CNN, I don't have any at all."
A CNN spokesperson commented on the case, stating, "We remain proud of our journalists and are 100% committed to strong, fearless, and fair-minded reporting at CNN, though we will of course take what useful lessons we can from this case."
Vel Freedman, Young's lead counsel, remarked on the strategy behind settling: "We were able to clear Zach's name, get a verdict, and then settle so he can avoid protracted appeals and move on with his life. So, as a lawyer, it's just exactly what you want to do."
Young also hoped that his case would serve as a pivotal learning opportunity for the media. "I hope that they learn something from this experience. I hope that they take this as an opportunity to look in the mirror and realize that, you know, there is room for change and improvement, and if that's the outcome that it has on CNN maybe others in the media also can see that as something positive," he said.
The resolution of this legal battle marks a significant chapter for both Zachary Young and CNN, bringing to close a matter that not only challenged personal reputations but also prompted broader discussions on media accountability and ethics.
