CNN editor stands firm on accuracy of 'black market' report despite network's apology.

In a high-stakes defamation trial, the controversial report at the center of the case was scrutinized by lawyers of the plaintiff, Zachary Young, as longtime CNN journalist Fuzz Hogan remained defiant.

A U.S. Navy veteran, who is young, claims that CNN defamed him in a November 2021 report on "The Lead with Jake Tapper," accusing him of profiting illegally from people trying to escape Afghanistan after the Biden administration's military withdrawal. The report also suggested that he was involved in "black market" activities, damaging his professional reputation.

At the time of the report, Hogan was a CNN senior editor and testified that the story he approved did not contain the term "black market." However, he later stated that the description was accurate in the context of the events in Afghanistan and denied that the term had a negative connotation.

He stated that he was uninformed about the on-air apology given by CNN anchor Pamela Brown in March 2022, which occurred several months after the report was aired.

In November, we published an article about Afghans struggling to escape the country and facing exorbitant fees. The article contained a lead-in and banner that mentioned a "black market." However, the use of the term "black market" in the article was incorrect. The article also featured reporting on Zachary Young.

"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."

Hogan stated that he disagreed with CNN's decision to apologize after watching the clip in court, which he consistently referred to as a "correction."

"Hogan initially believed that the correction was not required, but later stated that he supports the on-air report and considers CNN's online version to be satisfactory."

Joe Delich, a young attorney, obtained CNN's internal communications between Hogan and Tom Lumley, in which Lumley criticized Alex Marquardt's reporting on the story as "not poetry in any way."

"Lumley wrote, "I just want to publish something to defuse some drama. I also think it's half a good story. We should have carried on and reported it out more. Or he should have.""

"Yes," Hogan replied to Lumley. "It seems like a promising character, but we're still missing ¼ of the bigger picture."

Hogan responded to the question about approving the publication of the story he felt was only "three-quarters the size" by saying, "Every story can be longer."

He stated that he had no worries about the timing or completeness of "The Lead" report being aired.

Delich revealed that Hogan had called Young a "sh--" in communications, which Hogan admitted on the witness stand. Delich emphasized the context of the exchange while questioning Young, who confirmed that the comment was in response to accusations Young made to prospective clients about Hogan's promises of protective status in Afghanistan. Hogan denied that CNN's reporting was intended to harm Young.

When asked if he would change anything about CNN's reporting on Young, Hogan replied, "no."

Following the airing of a controversial report on CNN, Hogan was appointed as one of the network's standards and practices chiefs. As per his LinkedIn profile, Hogan's role involves ensuring that CNN's reporting on television and online adheres to the network's standards for accuracy, fairness, and balance.

Marquardt, the CNN correspondent who led the segment at the center of the defamation case, is expected to testify on Monday.

The trial is being streamed live on Planet Chronicle Digital.