CBS News is facing charges that it seized computers, files and records belonging to reporter Katherine Herridge, “including information about privileged sources.”
CBS News terminated Herridge’s employment last week as part of layoffs affecting fewer than 20 CBS News employees. Ms. Herridge is an award-winning and respected journalist with a distinguished career, so her sudden firing sent shock waves across Washington. She is considered a bastion of “old school” journalism, covering key subjects that legacy media often ignore.
So how did she end up on the chopping block?
But the story doesn’t end there. Law professor Jonathan Turley, who spoke to CBS News sources, said executives did something “unusual” after giving Herridge the pink slip.
“CBS officials took the unusual step of seizing her files, computers, and records containing information about privileged sources,” Turley said. I have written In a new essay.
“The network obtained Ms. Herridge’s notes and files and told her that they would decide what would be turned over to her,” he explained. “The files likely contain confidential material from her time at both Fox and CBS. Those records suggest they are likely the property of CBS News.”
If true, Turley added, this would be a bizarre departure from routine practice for fired employees and “nothing short of shocking.”
“Journalists are typically allowed to go out with their files. In standard contracts, including with CBS, journalists agree to release their files to the network if necessary in future litigation.” he explained. “That assumes they continue to control their own files, which can be used to leverage past connections to pursue new stories with other news organizations or advance careers with personal memoirs. This is extremely important for reporters who want to conclude the story.
Herridge’s files not only contained information she had accumulated while working at CBS News, but also included records from her 23-year tenure at Fox News.
The issue at the heart of this suspicion is clear. Journalists are bound by strict ethical obligations of confidentiality with their sources. These agreements are between the reporter and his or her sources, but not between the reporter, his or her sources, and the reporter’s employer.The ethics of confidentiality are important to Herridge – and she is Looks like he’s even willing to go to jail to protect himself. her sources.
Thali talked A representative for Mr. Herridge’s union confirmed that the union had approached CBS officials about the “highly unusual” situation.
“We are considering all options,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson told him.
Ultimately, the decision to seize Mr. Herridge’s records sent a “chilling signal” to the newsroom, a former CBS News reporter familiar with the situation told Mr. Turley.
Blaze Media reached out to CBS News for comment, but a representative for the network did not respond.
Mr Herridge, meanwhile, declined to discuss the allegations. She hasn’t spoken publicly about her firing either; Besides clarifying that In fact, she has not issued a statement.
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