Catherine Herridge, a famend investigative journalist previously of CBS Information, made explosive allegations in opposition to her former community throughout a Home Judiciary Committee listening to on Thursday. Herridge, recognized for reporting on the Hunter Biden laptop computer scandal, described CBS' actions as “journalistic rape” after her firing.
In her testimony, titled “The Struggle for a Free Press: Defending Journalists and Their Sources,” Herridge condemned CBS's determination to grab her information information, together with confidential supply info, after she was terminated in February. She emphasised the seriousness of the community's actions, calling them an assault on investigative journalism.
“When my information had been seized, I felt it was journalistic rape,” Herridge instructed the committee. “When Walter Cronkite's community seizes your information information, together with confidential supply info, it's an assault on investigative journalism.”
Herridge, presently embroiled in a First Modification case, expressed concern that seizing her information may jeopardize her sources. CBS described the actions as crossing a pink line that no media group ought to cross.
“CBS Information' determination to grab my reporting crossed a pink line that I consider no media group ought to ever cross,” Herridge stated. “A number of sources have stated they worry that in the event that they work with me to show authorities corruption and wrongdoing, they are going to be recognized and uncovered.”
Herridge, who spent practically 5 years at CBS Information earlier than being fired together with 19 different staff, criticized the community's response to the controversy. Whereas CBS defended its actions, Herridge and her SAG-AFTRA union protested till her information had been returned.
In the course of the listening to, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) requested Herridge about her protection of Hunter Biden and the Biden household. Herridge claimed she reported the details objectively, prompting Jordan to criticize CBS for firing her regardless of her unbiased reporting.
Along with Herridge's testimony, former CBS Information reporter Sharyl Attkisson additionally spoke about her expertise on the community, highlighting considerations about journalistic integrity and authorities interference.
Herridge's case underscores broader problems with press freedom and useful resource safety. As her authorized battle continues, she stays dedicated to upholding First Modification rules and defending the position of a free and vibrant press.
“This isn’t a battle you possibly can struggle alone,” Herridge famous, expressing gratitude for the assist from fellow journalists and her former employer, Fox Information, who’re backing her authorized protection.
Herridge's testimony comes at a pivotal second for press freedom laws, with Congress contemplating measures to strengthen protections for journalists and their sources. The Home handed a press invoice in January, signaling rising bipartisan assist for journalists' independence.
