In a rare defamation ruling against a major media outlet, a jury ordered CNN to pay $5 million in compensatory damages to U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young.

A Florida jury on Friday found CNN guilty of defaming a Navy veteran who helped Afghans flee their country following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Zachary Young, who is a security consultant, sued the network alleging CNN "destroyed his reputation and business" by branding him an "illegal profiteer" who exploited "desperate Afghans" during a Nov.

The jury deliberated for more than eight hours starting before ruling in favor of Zachary Young in his defamation suit against CNN.