CBS News Reporter Faces Charge That Carries Jail Time

CBS News reporter Catherine Herridge is facing a contempt charge after she  refused a court’s order to reveal her source’s identity.

Catherine Herridge who was previously a reporter at Fox News, is facing a contempt charge for not revealing her source for an investigation report about a FBI investigation into a Chinese American scientist.

Obama appointed U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper is overseeing the case and went on record saying “With contempt proceedings now teed up, one of two outcomes appears likely: Either Herridge will be held in contempt in the near future and can immediately appeal that order, or, as sometimes occurs in these cases, the sources may release Herridge from the privilege rather than watch her undergo the consequences of contempt.”

The case has huge implication for journalists 1st Amendment rights and if Herridge is found guilty or reveals the name of her source  due topressure from the court then sources in the future may wish to remain silent instead of giving out intel.

NEW: CBS News reporter Catherine Herridge is facing a contempt charge and potential jail time for refusing to reveal a confidential source.

In August, Herridge was ordered to reveal her source who gave information relating to an FBI investigation involving a Chinese American… pic.twitter.com/q4ZZqpJxfn

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 29, 2023

“Catherine Herridge, now a reporter for CBS News, was ordered in August to disclose the identity and motive of the source, who provided information about an FBI investigation into a Chinese scientist.”

“But Ms. Herridge, during a deposition after the order was handed down,… pic.twitter.com/wL1gamxfqh

— IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) October 29, 2023

The Epoch Times broke the story:

A reporter who was with Fox News when she reported on information provided by a confidential source is facing a contempt charge because she’s refusing to reveal the source’s identity despite a court order that she do so.

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Catherine Herridge, who is now a reporter for CBS News, was ordered in August to disclose the identity and motive of the source, who provided information about an FBI investigation into a Chinese American scientist.
But Ms. Herridge, during a deposition after the order was handed down, “refused to answer questions regarding the identity of her confidential source(s) and other aspects of her reporting process and editorial decision-making,” lawyers for Yanping Chen, the scientist, said in a recent filing.

They asked the court to hold Ms. Herridge in contempt, a criminal charge that can bring jail time.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who issued the order, said on Oct. 27 that Ms. Herridge would likely be held in contempt unless she provides the information.
“With contempt proceedings now teed up, one of two outcomes appears likely: Either Herridge will be held in contempt in the near future and can immediately appeal that order, or, as sometimes occurs in these cases, the sources may release Herridge from the privilege rather than watch her undergo the consequences of contempt,” Judge Cooper, appointed under President Barack Obama, wrote in a ruling.

Federal Judge Seeks To JAIL Prominent Reporter For Refusing To Reveal Sources…..https://t.co/foLX3rG3hg

— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) October 29, 2023

The Epoch Times described the original story that is causing the CBS reporter to be in hot water.

The case stems from three reports published by Fox News starting in 2017 that disclosed that the FBI had investigated Ms. Chen, a naturalized U.S. citizen who founded and owned a university attended by multiple U.S. military personnel. Ms. Chen was informed in 2016 that she wasn’t being charged.

The Department of Defense moved in 2018 to stop helping to pay the tuition of military members to attend Ms. Chen’s university. Ms. Chen sued the FBI, alleging that it or other government entities had leaked the previously private information to Ms. Herridge.

Judge Cooper has said that Ms. Chen’s “need for the requested evidence overcomes Herridge’s qualified First Amendment privilege.”

A number of press freedom groups have decried the rulings.

“Requiring reporters to face contempt before they can appeal may discourage them from insisting on their First Amendment right to protect confidential sources by taking their objection to a higher court,” Caitlin Vogus, deputy director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, wrote in a recent blog post.

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Catherine Herridge is the only real journalist/reporter on the left wing news outlets. Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/KCnSf3ZNMa

— Matthew Nichol (@MatthewNichol5) October 29, 2023