I wonder how this will impact both of the people who watch CNN. This is from National Review.
CNN Loses Defamation Case, Ordered to Pay $5 Million to Navy Veteran
A Florida jury on Friday found CNN guilty of defaming a U.S. Navy veteran and security contractor with a 2021 story about the costs of evacuating Afghans after the Taliban took control of their country.
The jury ruled in favor of Zachary Young, who said his reputation and business were destroyed when the network showed his face onscreen during a segment about a black market of smugglers who were helping Afghans flee the country for high fees in the months after the U.S. withdrawal.
Jurors awarded Young $5 million for lost business opportunities and pain and suffering after 8.5 hours of deliberation across two days. The jury will now decide how much the network must pay in punitive damages. Lawyers for each party will have an opportunity to present additional evidence as the jury works to determine punitive damages.
Young successfully argued CNN “destroyed his reputation and business” by effectively portraying him as an “illegal profiteer” who exploited “desperate Afghans,” when in fact his business targeted sponsors who could afford to pay on behalf of the fleeing Afghans, rather than individuals who were fleeing themselves.
Young testified in the two-week trial that there was a “a very immediate and devastating impact on [his] life” after the story aired. His attorneys argued CNN had basically accused him of criminal activity when they put a graphic on the screen referring to “black markets” next to Young’s face and messages.
Circuit Court judge William S. Henry previously ruled that Young “did not act illegally or criminally.”
CNN had acknowledged that it erred in its use of the phrase “black market” during the November 11, 2021, segment on The Lead with Jake Tapper, but unsuccessfully argued its reporting on Young was accurate nonetheless.
CNN chief national security correspondent Alexander Marquardt testified earlier this week that he did not produce a “hit piece” on the Navy veteran. He and others with the network argued they had carefully produced, edited and published the story.
In the segment, Marquardt said “desperate Afghans are being exploited” and need to pay “exorbitant, often impossible amounts” to leave the country. The story mentions only Young’s company, explaining his business was asking $75,000 to transport a vehicle of passengers to Pakistan or $14,500 per person to end up in the United Arab Emirates.
“Prices well beyond the reach of most Afghans,” Marquardt said before allegedly attempting to call Young.
“In a text message, he told CNN that Afghans trying to leave are expected to have sponsors pay for them,” Marquardt said, adding that Young “repeatedly declined to break down the cost or say if he’s making money.”
The Panama City jury found CNN guilty of per se defamation, ruling that the network’s report was materially false and was carried out with negligence and caused Young actual damages.
“I know [Young] feels heard in a way that he hasn’t felt for over three years, since the segment was played,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much that means to both [Young] and to our team,” said Young’s attorney, Joseph Delich, after the ruling.
In my opinion, this case and its outcome could trigger many similar lawsuits against CNN. Their show hosts and pundits have relied on slander as a tool for several years now.
Their show hosts and pundits have relied on slander as a tool for several years now.
How is this different from the fox Dominion settlement? I mean y'all found a way to keep watching Fox News after an 800 million dollar settlement...
So basically your argument is that if Fox can lie so can CNN?
The discussion was about the lawsuit CNN lost, and my comment was focused on that topic of this thread. "CNN Loses Defamation Case, Ordered to Pay $5 Million to Navy Veteran"
I didn’t feel the need to address every media outlet, as it's well-known that most have faced defamation lawsuits at some point.
Some notable examples include:
Fox News - Has faced numerous defamation lawsuits, including a prominent $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023 over false claims about election fraud.
CNN - Frequently targeted by lawsuits, such as the case brought by Nicholas Sandmann, a high school student, over its coverage of a viral confrontation in 2019. The case was settled.
MSNBC/NBC - Has also faced defamation claims over its reporting, including lawsuits related to political coverage and commentary.
The New York Times - Though not a broadcast network, it is another media giant that often faces defamation lawsuits, particularly from public figures or corporations challenging its reporting.
. ABC News
"Pink Slime" Case (2017): ABC News faced a $1.9 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Beef Products Inc. over its reports describing the company's lean finely textured beef as "pink slime." The case was settled for $177 million.
CBS News
CBS has faced defamation lawsuits over investigative reports, such as allegations related to product safety or controversial topics. For example, CBS was sued by Reserve Management Company in 2009 for $25 million over claims about its money market fund during the financial crisis.
NBC News
George Zimmerman (2012): Zimmerman sued NBC over allegedly misleading edits of a 911 call that made him appear racially biased in the Trayvon Martin case. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2014.
Richard Jewell (1996): NBC was sued for defamation by Jewell, who was wrongfully accused in the Atlanta Olympics bombing. NBC settled the case.
. The Washington Post
Nicholas Sandmann (2019): Similar to CNN, The Washington Post was sued by Sandmann for its reporting on the same incident. The lawsuit was settled out of court.
. Newsweek
Newsweek has faced defamation claims, such as one in 2019 from California-based law professor Jennifer Van Laar over a report alleging improper conduct.
The Daily Mail
This UK-based publication, which also operates heavily in the U.S., has faced numerous lawsuits, including one from Melania Trump in 2017. She sued over false claims about her personal life and settled for $2.9 million.
The Huffington Post
In 2016, an Idaho businessman sued The Huffington Post for defamation over its reporting on him in connection to the 2014 Bundy ranch standoff.
The Associated Press (AP)
AP has occasionally faced lawsuits, such as a case involving a Syrian businessman in 2017, who claimed the agency falsely linked him to chemical weapons production. The lawsuit was dismissed.
The Wall Street Journal
Known for its financial reporting, The Wall Street Journal has faced defamation suits from individuals and companies alleging harm to their reputations. In 2009, Tesla sued the paper over claims of misleading financial statements. While the case was ultimately dismissed, it highlights the legal challenges financial outlets face.
The Guardian
The Guardian, like many international outlets, has faced lawsuits for defamation. One notable case involved Elon Musk in 2020, who criticized The Guardian's reporting about his company Tesla. While Musk did not sue, such cases are reminders of the constant scrutiny media outlets face.
Bloomberg
In 2015, Bloomberg News faced a defamation lawsuit from an investment banker over a report related to insider trading allegations. The outlet often deals with lawsuits stemming from its detailed financial and business reporting.
Melania Trump filed a defamation lawsuit against The Daily Mail and a Maryland-based blogger, Webster Tarpley, in 2016. She sued them over false claims published in articles that suggested she had worked as an escort earlier in her life.
Case Details:
The Daily Mail: Published an article repeating unverified allegations about Melania's past.
Webster Tarpley: Repeated the same allegations on his blog.
Outcome:
Both parties settled the lawsuits in 2017.
The Daily Mail issued a public apology and paid a reported settlement amount of $2.9 million, which included damages and legal fees.
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