JUST IN: Shocking Details Emerge From Catherine Herridge’s Firing At CBS News: ‘Chilling’
CBS’s decision to terminate acclaimed investigative reporter Catherine Herridge has ignited a firestorm of controversy. In the wake of her firing, the network took drastic measures by confiscating Herridge’s files, computers, and records, which included sensitive information on privileged sources according to reports.
The aggressive action not only alarmed Herridge’s colleagues but also attracted the attention of the SAG-AFTRA union, heightening concerns over the sanctity of confidential sources and journalistic freedom.
The situation took on an even more ominous tone given that Herridge was engaged in pursuing stories that were not favorably viewed by the Biden White House and several Democratic power brokers.
A former journalist from CBS told The Hill that numerous employees “are confused why [Herridge] was laid off, as one of the correspondents who broke news regularly and did a lot of original reporting.” One individual mentioned, “I had never seen a seizure of records from a departing journalist, and that the move had sent a ‘chilling signal’ in the ranks of CBS.”
A former CBS manager, speaking anonymously said, “I had ‘never heard of anything like this.’” They noted that traditionally, journalists exiting the company were allowed to take all their files and personal office items, with the company even assisting in packing personal belongings, ranging from cups to post-its.
The manager criticized the retention of Herridge’s materials as “outrageous” and a direct threat to the safety of confidential sources.
Jonathan Turley wrote:
A source within the the union, SAG-AFTRA, confirmed that it has raised this controversy with CBS and remains extremely concerned about the effect of this action on journalistic practices and source confidentiality. The union believes this is “very unusual” and goes far beyond this individual case. “It is a matter of principle,” a union spokesperson added. “It is a matter of serious concern. We are considering all of our options.”
For full disclosure, I was under contract twice with CBS as a legal analyst. I cherished my time at the network. I have also known Herridge for years in both legal and journalistic capacities.
CBS is one of the world’s premier news organizations, with a legendary history that includes figures from Murrow to Walter Cronkite to Roger Mudd. That is why the hiring of Herridge was so welcomed by many of us. The network was at risk of becoming part of the journalistic herd, an echo-chamber for Democratic and liberal narratives. It had been mired in third place for ages, and it was moving in the wrong direction by alienating half of the country…
These files may contain sources who were given confidentiality by Herridge. The company is suggesting that the privilege of confidentiality (and the material) rest ultimately with CBS. As a threshold matter, that cannot be the case with regard to files that were generated during Herridge’s long stint with Fox News. Yet CBS appears to be retaining those files, too.
Herridge, who previously worked at Fox News, has found herself at the heart of a pivotal First Amendment controversy. This follows a directive from a federal judge demanding that she disclose the confidential informants behind her 2017 reports on an FBI investigation into Yanping Chen, a Chinese American scientist.
The reports, which were published during Herridge’s tenure at Fox News, led Chen to initiate a lawsuit against the FBI in 2018. She claimed the agency violated her privacy by leaking information without authorization. In 2022, Chen sought to compel Herridge and Fox News to reveal the source of the leaks through a legal subpoena, a move both resisted by citing First Amendment rights.
Herridge might soon face contempt of court charges for refusing to reveal the source behind her 2017 investigative report during her tenure at Fox News, potentially resulting in her being personally liable for daily fines up to $5,000.
