The plaintiff accuses CNN of damaging his reputation by labeling him a profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans.

A Florida jury has found television news provider CNN liable for defaming a U.S. Navy veteran who helped evacuate personnel from Afghanistan following the 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops.

A six-person jury said Friday that CNN must pay a total of $5 million in damages. A second phase of the trial will be held to determine any punitive damages. The verdict came after a two-week trial in state court in Panama City, Florida.

A CNN representative said the network would not comment until a jury decides on punitive damages.

Plaintiff Zachary Young sued CNN in 2022, accusing Warner Bros. Discovery Channel of charging him exorbitant fees to label him in a segment on “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” profiteers who exploited desperate Afghans, thus damaging his reputation.

CNN has stood by its story and denied defaming Yang, but the network said in March 2022 that it regretted using the term “black market” to describe Yang’s work.

The case stems from Young’s work as a security consultant who helped businesses and charities evacuate people from Afghanistan after the Taliban quickly regained control following a chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal.

CNN said in a segment on “The Lead” that “desperate Afghans” trying to flee the country are being “exploited” and being charged “exorbitant” and “impossible” evacuation rates. cost.

The clip’s focus turned to Young, who displayed his name and photo next to a chiron, saying evacuees faced a dangerous “black market.”

“The summary and substance of the clip shows and implies that Young directly marketed evacuation to Afghan citizens, that he exploited Afghan citizens and sold them illegal goods/services on the black market,” Young said in the lawsuit.

Lawyers for Yang said CNN was wrong to characterize his work as illegal or exploitative and that he repeatedly told the network he only worked with companies and NGOs that tried to remove their personnel. Yang said the high prices are due to high demand.

Yang said the CNN show ruined his reputation and career, caused him depression and panic attacks, and deprived him of millions of dollars in income.

It was an unusual guilty verdict against a media organization in a libel case. Defamation laws generally protect news organizations, and plaintiffs must meet a high standard to prove defamation.

To prevail in the case, Yang would have to prove that CNN knew or should have known that its story was false but published it anyway. He also seeks punitive damages aimed at punishing the defendants and requiring Yang to prove CNN intentionally harmed him.

A judge denied CNN’s request to dismiss the case and allowed Yang to seek punitive and compensatory damages, a ruling the appeals court affirmed and the case went to trial.