Staff Reports
Today, the House Judiciary Committee convened to discuss the freedom of the press and the challenges faced by investigative reporters. Sharyl Attkisson and Catherine Herridge, both seasoned journalists with notable experiences, were called upon to share their insights.
Attkisson, formerly of CBS News, departed in 2014 following disagreements over the direction of her reporting. She alleged that her electronic devices were compromised, a claim later confirmed by CBS News. One of her contentious reports focused on the government's allocation of taxpayer funds to risky clean energy ventures post-Solyndra disaster, a story that may not have aligned with CBS's editorial preferences.
Reporter Catherine Herridge Had Some Brutal Words to Describe of Her Termination From CBS News
https://t.co/kr7gSnYGuF— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 11, 2024
Similarly, Catherine Herridge, previously associated with Fox News, encountered resistance from her employers regarding certain stories, notably her investigation into Hunter Biden's laptop. Her termination in February prompted a dispute over access to her reporting files, including sensitive materials containing confidential sources, raising concerns about press freedom.
Herridge recounted her experience of being locked out of her emails and office upon her dismissal, with her former employer seizing hundreds of pages from her reporting archives, including those containing confidential sources. She lamented that this was unprecedented in her previous professional encounters.
Moreover, Herridge highlighted the crucial role played by SAG-AFTRA in facilitating the return of her materials. She emphasized that such incidents undermine press freedom and the First Amendment, hindering journalists' ability to work effectively and share vital information with the public.
Additionally, Herridge faced legal challenges when she refused to disclose her sources regarding a Chinese American scientist under investigation. She was subsequently taken to court and ordered to pay fines of $800 per day for her refusal to reveal her sources, underscoring the ongoing struggles journalists face in protecting their sources and upholding the principles of investigative journalism.
