(The Epoch Times)—Project Veritas’s lawsuit accusing CNN of publicizing a false statement that Twitter banned Project Veritas for spreading misinformation has been revived, with an appeals court ruling the nonprofit journalism group has plausibly alleged defamation.
Twitter in 2021 banned Project Veritas for sharing private information without consent after the group posted a video showing the residence of a Facebook official. Ana Cabrera, a CNN employee, shared the development on Twitter. A CNN article written by Brian Fung also detailed what had transpired.
Four days later, on a CNN program, Cabrera said that “We’re starting to see companies cracking down to try to stop the spread of misinformation and to hold some people who are spreading it accountable.” She noted the ban on Project Veritas before saying “this is part of a much broader crackdown, as we mentioned, by social media giants that are promoting misinformation.”
A U.S. district judge in 2022 turned away a suit brought by Project Veritas over the comments and CNN’s failure to retract them. He said the remarks were substantially true because their effect on the audience was similar to the effect that would have come if CNN had discussed the actual reason Twitter banned Project Veritas.
The distinction between the purported and actual reasons “is not enough to make the statement at issue actionable as both violations are similarly damaging to the journalist’s reputation,” according to that ruling.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled on Nov. 7 that the previous decision was wrong,
Coffee the Christian way: Promised Grounds
“Cabrera accused Veritas of substantially different behavior than that in which Veritas engaged. Under New York law, such a statement is not substantially true,” U.S. Circuit Judge Elizabeth L. Branch wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel that was assigned the case. “Veritas committed one infraction; CNN accused it of a completely different one.”
Project Veritas has offered sufficient evidence to overcome CNN’s motion to dismiss the case at this stage, Branch said, when the allegations in the complaint are taken as true.
The district court did not decide whether Cabrera’s remarks were done with actual malice, a requirement for state defamation claims under court interpretations of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment.
Cabrera’s social media post and Fung’s article show that Cabrera was aware her statements on-air were probably false, the panel said.
Survival Beef on sale now. Freeze dried Ribeye, NY Strip, and Premium beef cubes. Promo code “jdr” at checkout for 25% off! Prepper All-Naturals
Judges Andrew Brasher and Ed Carnes joined in the ruling.
Carnes said in a concurring opinion that “I never thought I’d see a major news organization downplaying the importance of telling the truth in its broadcast” and noted that CNN outside the case repeatedly emphasizes its dedication to truth. Its mission statement, for instance, says that “we are truth-seekers and story tellers.”
The decision reversed the lower court ruling and remanded the case back to the court for proceedings consistent with the new decision.
A lawyer representing CNN did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.
- Concerned about your life’s savings as the multiple challenges decimate retirement accounts? You’re not alone. Find out how Genesis Precious Metals can help you secure your wealth with a proper self-directed IRA backed by physical precious metals.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that fiat currencies across the globe, including the U.S. Dollar, are under attack. Paper money is losing its value, translating into insane inflation and less value in our life’s savings.
Genesis Gold Group believes physical precious metals are an amazing option for those seeking to move their wealth or retirement to higher ground. Whether Central Bank Digital Currencies replace current fiat currencies or not, precious metals are poised to retain or even increase in value. This is why central banks and mega-asset managers like BlackRock are moving much of their holdings to precious metals.
As a Christian company, Genesis Gold Group has maintained a perfect 5 out of 5 rating with the Better Business Bureau. Their faith-driven values allow them to help Americans protect their life’s savings without the gimmicks used by most precious metals companies. Reach out to them today to see how they can streamline the rollover or transfer of your current and previous retirement accounts.
