
(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – In a vital victory against the liberal media that has excited patriots nationwide, U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young has settled a defamation lawsuit with CNN after a Florida jury initially awarded him $5 million.
See the tweet below!
Young’s claims stemmed from a CNN story that falsely depicted his efforts in Afghanistan as part of a “black market” operation.
Though CNN maintained the accuracy of their reporting, the settlement allowed both parties to avoid further legal drama.
CNN’s report centered around the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.
The network’s portrayal implied that Young, who ran the security firm Nemex Enterprises, exploited the situation by charging “exorbitant fees” to desperate Afghans.
Zack Young argued that CNN’s accusations were not only false but severely damaged his reputation and business, which relied heavily on sponsor-backed operations, the WSJ reports.
“It’s devastating if you’re labeled a criminal all over the world,” Young said, highlighting the emotional and financial toll the defamation took on him.
The Panama City, Florida, jury, situated in a conservative area, found CNN guilty of publishing with actual malice and issued the multi-million-dollar verdict.
CNN’s response reflected a sheepish admission of failure.
Although they issued an apology for the use of the term “black market,” they stood by the narrative that their coverage was thorough and factual.
A CNN spokesperson stated, “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.”
However, this backtracking suggests that networks like CNN frequently overstep, assuming they can blanket their mistakes under the mantle of journalistic integrity.
The trial also revealed how CNN’s financial fortunes have declined under the weight of back-to-back controversies, with profits dropping nearly 18% over three years.
Throughout the case, internal CNN communications were presented that painted a disparaging picture of Young, further diminishing the network’s credibility.
Young’s attorney celebrated the victory, stating satisfaction in “holding CNN accountable.”
With the trial now behind him, Young hopes to rebuild his business and life, believing justice has finally been served.
His preference from the start wasn’t money, but accountability and reclaiming his good name.
The settlement and verdict now join a greater trend of media outlets facing repercussions for inaccurately damaging individuals’ reputations.
As more are emboldened to seek accountability, media giants might find their unchecked biases costing them dearly, The New York Post points out.
Interestingly, while CNN has settled, the consequences for their reputation and bottom line remain in question.
It is clear such cases may no longer be as rare as they once were, suggesting a paradigm shift where the press may finally be held to account for their reckless narratives.
This may make networks think twice before casting false aspersions on those who honorably serve.
CNN settles with Navy veteran Zachary Young upon $5 million defamation verdict https://t.co/j5O8cYBOli pic.twitter.com/r7coaKtJDe
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 19, 2025
Copyright 2025, TheLastPatriotNews.com