CNN is facing a $1 billion defamation lawsuit from Navy veteran Zachary Young, who is urging Florida’s courts to compel the network to disclose its internal journalistic conduct and social media guidelines. These documents could be crucial in determining whether CNN was negligent in its vetting process.
According to a motion filed on Wednesday, CNN has been resisting the request to turn over these documents, which may reveal their procedures for story verification. The network has also been accused of obstructing the deposition of host Jake Tapper and allegedly destroying evidence by deleting social media posts.
CNN’s tactics have been described as deliberate delays. Despite a court order for a deposition of their corporate representative, CNN stalled the process, pushing it beyond the fact-discovery period. In September 2023, Young’s lawyers sought to depose CNN’s corporate representative, but CNN delayed and objected, forcing a unilateral notice of deposition by Young’s team. A court mediation in December 2023 resulted in a deposition scheduled for June 2024.