Zachary Young, a U.S. Navy veteran, is pursuing a significant defamation lawsuit against the Associated Press in Bay County, Florida, as he attempts to clear his reputation. Earlier this year, he won a defamation case against CNN, which he accused of wrongly suggesting he had made illegal profits while assisting individuals fleeing Afghanistan during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
In January, Associated Press media reporter David Bauder wrote that “Young’s business helped smuggle people out of Afghanistan.” Young’s legal team argues that this statement is even more damaging than what CNN reported, prompting Young to seek nearly $500 million from the AP.
On Monday, Young’s lawyers responded to the Associated Press’s motion to dismiss the case. The AP claimed that Young’s allegations lack merit and threaten free speech rights. However, Young’s team asserts that the motion failed to tackle essential issues. They point out that the term “human smuggling” implies criminal behavior, a fact that a previous court ruling clarified—that Young had not committed any crime. Young’s attorney highlighted that the AP’s own style guide defines smuggling as illegal.
The AP has not retracted or revised their statement, ignoring requests to use more appropriate language like “evacuate” or “rescue.” Young’s attorney emphasized that the most telling part of the AP’s response is that it did not deny that “smuggling” indicates illegal activity.
Young is also seeking punitive damages, arguing that this case represents a serious wrongdoing by a media organization that should be punished and deterred.
On Tuesday, both sides appeared for an initial hearing before Judge William S. Henry in the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, who previously oversaw the CNN trial. The main aim of this meeting was to discuss procedural details and outline the reasons behind their respective motions. Judge Henry has set the next hearing for July 3, where he will make rulings on the AP’s motion to dismiss and Young’s amended complaint.
The Associated Press has referred to Young’s lawsuit in previous statements as “frivolous,” but many believe that accountability for media organizations is essential in maintaining truth and integrity in journalism.
