Navy Veteran Appeals Defamation Case Against Associated Press

Zachary Young, a U.S. Navy veteran, is appealing a defamation lawsuit against the Associated Press (AP) after a Florida judge dismissed his case last year. Young claims he was defamed by AP reporter David Bauder, who stated that Young's business was involved in smuggling people out of Afghanistan in a January 2025 article covering Young's successful defamation case against CNN. During the appeal, which took place on June 10, 2026, AP's attorney, Charles Tobin, argued that the AP Stylebook does not apply to this case, as it defines 'human smuggling' as an illegal activity. Young's attorney, Lisa Glass, countered that the stylebook is a critical reference for journalists. Young previously won a $4 million judgment against CNN for defamation related to similar claims. The AP has stated that it will defend its reporting against Young's lawsuit, which they describe as frivolous.