HUGE: Judge Rules AGAINST CNN

Red CNN logo in front of glass building.

(TheConservativeTimes.org) – In a stunning blow to CNN’s credibility, Judge William S. Henry has ruled in favor of U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young in a defamation lawsuit against the liberal news network.

The lawsuit stems from a November 11, 2021, segment on “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” where CNN accused Young of exploiting desperate Afghans during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In the original segment, Jake Tapper claimed that “Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success.”

The network painted Young as a profiteer who demanded excessive fees from Afghans seeking evacuation.

However, Judge Henry’s ruling shattered CNN’s narrative, declaring that Young “did not act illegally or criminally” despite the network’s on-air claims.

Young’s legal team argued that CNN “destroyed his reputation and business by branding him an illegal profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans.”

The court agreed, finding no evidence to support CNN’s accusations of a “black market” or any illegal conduct by Young.

Florida’s Court of Appeal allowed Young to proceed with the case, citing evidence that CNN knew of “factual inaccuracies” before airing the segment.

“The Court’s ruling is an important step forward as we prepare for trial. We were glad to receive it, appreciate how quickly the Court issued the ruling, and are focused on being ready for trial this January,” said Young’s attorney Vel Freedman.

Even more troublesome for CNN, Judge Henry has ordered the network to open its books and grant Young access to its financial records dating back to September 2021.

This unprecedented move will allow Young’s legal team to assess the company’s net worth and ability to pay damages, potentially exposing the true cost of CNN’s reckless reporting.

The judge also dismissed CNN’s attempt to cite Sharia law as a defense, calling it “a bridge too far” and highlighting the network’s apparent willingness to grasp at any straw to avoid accountability.

As it moves toward a civil trial scheduled for January 6, 2025, in Bay County, Florida, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of truthful reporting.

Copyright 2024, TheConservativeTimes.org