Jury Starts Deliberations In Security Contractor’s Defamation Case Against CNN Over Afghan Evacuation “Black Market”

deadline.com:

A Florida jury began deliberations this afternoon in a security consultant’s defamation lawsuit against CNN. Zachary Young sued the network following a report in 2021 that he sought exorbitant fees to evacuate Afghans in what amounted to a black market in the chaotic U.S.

withdrawal. The segment from Marquardt was aired on CNN on November 11, 2021, and re-aired three times. Links to the segments also were posted on social media, and a digital article was posted on November 13.

In one instance, Young’s image appeared on screen with the chyron, “Afghans trying to flee Taliban face black markets, exorbitant fees, no guarantee of safety or success.” Judge William Henry said that a jury would have to decide whether the use of the term “black market” meant illegal or criminal activity.

The jurors will all have to decide a series of questions, starting with, Did CNN commit defamation per se? Did CNN commit defamation by implication?