A high-stakes defamation trial about an Afghanistan segment is heading to court for CNN.

On Monday, CNN will commence a high-stakes defamation trial that could result in significant financial consequences for the network.

Zachary Young, a U.S. Navy veteran, claims that CNN falsely accused him of profiting illegally when he helped people flee Afghanistan during the Biden administration's withdrawal in 2021. Young believes that CNN damaged his reputation and business by branding him as an illegal profiteer who exploited desperate Afghans in a November 11, 2021, segment on "The Lead with Jake Tapper."

Despite what the network reported on air, Judge William S. Henry of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court in Bay County, Florida, has ruled that Young did not act illegally or criminally.

Judge Henry has ruled that CNN's legal team's argument that Young's actions violated the Taliban's Sharia law was incorrect, and as a result, the jury will be instructed to assume Young did not break the law. Additionally, the judge has declared that the court has found Young "did not take money from Afghans."

The jury selection process will commence on Monday, with Young anticipated to be the first witness to testify.

Since the trial segment aired in November 2021, CNN has undergone significant changes. Jeff Zucker, who was CEO at the time, has left the network. His successor, Chris Licht, also departed after a short stint. The parent company, WarnerMedia, merged with Discovery to form Warner Bros. Discovery, and Mark Thompson now leads CNN Worldwide. The network has experienced significant staff turnover, with high-profile hosts like Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo leaving.

Despite the passage of more than three years since the report on Young aired, CNN hosts Jake Tapper and correspondent Alex Marquardt remain with the network.

The 2021 segment at the center of the suit was teased by Tapper, who cautioned CNN viewers about the dangers of desperate Afghans being targeted by individuals demanding exorbitant payments to leave the country.

In the upcoming segment of the show, Tapper will discuss the plight of "desperate Afghans" who are being "preyed upon."

Tapper stated that Marquardt discovered that Afghans attempting to leave the country encounter a black market filled with false promises, excessive fees, and no assurance of safety or achievement.

Marquardt stated that desperate Afghans are being exploited and need to pay exorbitant, often impossible amounts to flee the country.

Marquardt highlighted Young, displaying his photo on the screen and stating that his company required $75,000 to transport a group of passengers to Pakistan or $14,500 per individual to reach the United Arab Emirates.

Marquardt informed viewers that prices were unaffordable for most Afghans.

CNN reported that Marquardt allegedly tried to contact Young, but Young did not respond to the call.

"According to Marquardt, Young informed CNN that Afghans attempting to flee are required to have sponsors cover their expenses. Additionally, Young stated that evacuation costs are subject to change based on environmental factors."

Young repeatedly declined to reveal the cost or disclose if he was earning money, before playing a clip of an anonymous sympathetic man who couldn't afford to evacuate his family from Afghanistan.

Marquardt went back to Young, saying he received another text message.

Marquardt informed viewers that in another message, Zachary Young stated, "Availability is extremely limited, and demand is high," and added, "That's how economics works, unfortunately."

Marquardt's report was thanked by Tapper, who replied, "Unfortunately, hmm."

No other people or companies were named other than Young.

The Marquardt report was repackaged for CNN's website and re-aired on Jim Acosta's show on Nov. 13.

After three months since the fall of Afghanistan, many Afghans are still eager to escape. CNN's Alex Marquardt discovered a black market that is ready to exploit the situation.

Young's legal team contends that CNN misrepresented him as a malicious actor exploiting vulnerable individuals by using the terms "black market," "exploit," and "exorbitant."

On March 25, 2022, CNN issued an on-air apology with substitute anchor Pamela Brown sitting in Tapper's chair.

In November, we reported on the plight of Afghans trying to escape the country, who were faced with exorbitant fees beyond the means of the average Afghan. The article featured a lead-in and banner that mentioned a "black market." However, the use of the term "black market" in the story was incorrect. The article also included coverage of Zachary Young's reporting.

"We did not mean to imply that Mr. Young was involved in the black market. We are sorry for the mistake and we apologize to him."

In December, Judge Henry ruled that the remarks were inadequate because Florida law requires retraction of defamatory material to be similar to the original distribution.

During a pre-trial hearing, Judge Henry stated that no retraction, correction, or apology was posted online or on social media for the segment that aired on other television shows.

CNN editors were concerned about the initial segment on Young but aired it anyway, according to internal communications revealed during the discovery process. Meanwhile, other internal communications showed that CNN employees used profanities and disparaging language when privately discussing Young.

"According to a court document, Marquardt referred to Young as "f---ing Young" and said, "it’s your funeral, bucko." Additionally, a CNN employee told colleagues that Young has a "punchable face.""

CNN's financial information must be handed over to Warner Bros. Discovery to determine punitive damages if Young wins.

CNN remains confident that it will prevail.

A CNN spokesperson assured Planet Chronicle Digital that they would have a verdict in their favor once all the facts are revealed.

The lawsuit exposes how CNN approaches stories, according to Media Research Center associate editor Nicholas Fondacaro, who has closely followed the pre-trial hearings.

Fondacaro stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the case centers on CNN's use of inflammatory language to stir emotions rather than promote rationality. If this language becomes ingrained in an organization's culture, it can raise broader questions and concerns about their news gathering practices.

"CNN presents itself as a leading truth-teller, but in this instance, they used imprecise language, such as "black market" and "grey market," and when pressed, they insisted they meant "grey market." Journalists should use precise and accurate language when presenting information to prevent inaccurate interpretation by the public. However, instead, we received a report that was influenced by the reporters' personal animosity towards their subject."

Fondacaro stated that the case offers a glimpse into how CNN journalists interact with one another while covering their topics.

Freedman, Young's lead counsel, stated that his client is eagerly anticipating the trial.

Freedman informed Planet Chronicle Digital that Mr. Young, who has been waiting for justice for over three years, is eagerly anticipating his court appearance.

Once jury selection concludes, the trial will be streamed live.