Zachary Young, a previous private contractor involved in evacuating people from Afghanistan, has filed a significant defamation lawsuit against CNN. The case revolves around accusations that CNN defamed Young’s work by calling it “illegal” and “exploitative”, comments made by reporter Alex Marquardt on Jake Tapper’s show, which raised concerns within CNN due to lack of proper verification. Internal communications suggest potential malice, leading the courts to agree to a jury trial.
The limited coverage of this case may stem from CNN’s use of common news industry practices, creating a noticeable tension. It’s worth noting how CNN reacted when Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems. Jake Tapper’s reaction and Brian Stelter’s book deal before the Fox-Dominion trial, impacted by the settlement, highlight a clear contrast in CNN’s behavior.
Given the extensive reporting on the Fox settlement, one would expect a similar interest in a major network like CNN facing a substantial lawsuit. However, many media outlets are staying reserved, dealing with layoffs, audience decline, and uncertainty in a changing media landscape. The lack of intense coverage on this trial in comparison to the Fox case suggests a cautious approach from various media platforms.
