Catherine Herridge Shares Statement Condemning CBS News Seizing Her Notes

SAG-AFTRA strongly condemns CBS News’ resolution to grab Catherine Herridge’s reporter notes and analysis from her workplace, together with confidential supply info. This motion is deeply regarding to the union as a result of it units a harmful precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very basis of the First Amendment.

It is totally inappropriate for an employer to put off a reporter and take the very uncommon step of retaining and looking the reporter’s recordsdata, inclusive of confidential supply identification and knowledge. From a First Amendment standpoint, a media company with a dedication to journalism calling a reporter’s analysis and confidential supply reporting “proprietary information” is each surprising and absurd.

The retention of a media skilled’s reporting supplies by their former employer is a severe break with conventional practices which helps the speedy return of reporting supplies. We urge CBS to return this materials to Catherine in support of essentially the most fundamental of First Amendment ideas. We are inspired by current outreach by CBS News to SAG-AFTRA on this matter, and we’re hopeful that it is going to be resolved shortly.

CBS News denied that it had seized her recordsdata in an announcement reported by TV Newsner. The community mentioned in an announcement to the web site:

Catherine’s private belongings had been delivered to her dwelling one week in the past, and we’re ready to pack up the remainder of her recordsdata instantly on her behalf—along with her consultant current as she requested. We are awaiting a response from Catherine and/or her consultant to take action. We have revered her request to not undergo the recordsdata, and out of our concern for confidential sources, the workplace she occupied has remained safe since her departure.

Herridge was laid off by CBS News final week in what was a shock to media observers, given her lengthy and distinguished observe document as an investigative reporter, in accordance with the Post. It was one among about 20 layoffs on the community amid a bigger “purge” over declining revenues by father or mother firm Paramount Global, in accordance with the outlet.

However, eyebrows had been raised after Turley revealed on Tuesday that Herridge’s recordsdata had been seized and steered there was one thing extra at play.

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“Many of us were shocked after Herridge was included in layoffs this month, but those concerns have increased after CBS officials took the unusual step of seizing her files, computers and records, including information on privileged sources,” he wrote.

“Given the other layoffs and declining revenues, the inclusion of Herridge was defended by the network as a painful but necessary measure. But then something strange happened. The network grabbed Herridge’s notes and files and informed her that it would decide what, if anything, would be turned over to her. The files likely contain confidential material from both her stints at Fox and CBS,” he added.