CBS reporter fired for uncovering Hunter laptop scandal, network seizes all related files
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
5:27 PM – Friday, February 23, 2024
Before being let go from her job last week, the esteemed CBS reporter was one of the individuals credited with uncovering the Hunter Biden laptop story that left-leaning news outlets like Politico previously claimed was “Russian disinfo.”
According to insiders familiar with the situation who spoke with reporters on Thursday, the network took her personal files and computer in a “unprecedented” move.
Twenty CBS News employees were laid off as part of a bigger purge of hundreds of workers at parent firm Paramount Global, including Catherine Herridge, who is currently at the center of a First Amendment case that is being keenly followed by journalists across the country.
Although her dismissal had taken a few coworkers by surprise, insiders claim that many employees are frightened by the network’s choice to retain her personal documents and laptop, which may include even more sensitive information.
“It’s so extraordinary,” a source said, highlighting that the files — which are now property of CBS News — could easily contain confidential material.
According to the source, the network packed up everything she owned and had in the office, with the exception of Herridge’s scrap notes, and told her it would determine what, if anything, would be given back to her.
“They [typically] never seize documents [when you’re let go],” a second source who spoke to the press said. “They want to see what damaging documents she has.”
The network’s actions, according to insiders, might affect Herridge’s First Amendment lawsuit since her documents might reveal confidential talks she had with her attorneys or the identity of sources.
Herridge is facing criticism for allegedly defying U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s directive to disclose her source of information on a federal investigation regarding a Chinese American scientist running a graduate program in Virginia.
The reporter could face contempt of court in the near future for failing to reveal the source of an investigation that she highlighted in 2017, when she was employed at Fox News.
Herridge had run into obstacles from higher-ups regarding her coverage of Hunter Biden’s forgotten laptop. She had also had a falling out with Ingrid-Ciprian Matthews, the president of CBS News, a stern executive cleared of all charges in 2021 after there was an investigation into her hiring and management practices, specifically citing “discriminatory hiring practices and favoritism.”
According to the second source, there is a possibility that the network believes Herridge had material in her files that could result in a wrongful termination lawsuit.
“She was pursuing stories that were unwelcomed by the Biden White House and many Democratic powerhouses, including the Hur report on Joe Biden’s diminished mental capacity, the Biden corruption scandal and the Hunter Biden laptop,” said Jonathan Turley, a legal scholar and ex-CBS analyst.
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How does CBS News’ decision to seize an employee’s personal belongings, in contrast to their usual practice, raise questions about the network’s commitment to journalistic integrity and the protection of reporters
Report: CBS Retains Fired Reporter’s Personal Files and Computer in Unprecedented Move
In a surprising turn of events, CBS News recently took the personal files and computer of a reporter they had let go. According to insiders familiar with the situation, this move is unprecedented and has raised concerns among employees about the network’s intentions.
The reporter in question is Catherine Herridge, who was credited with uncovering the Hunter Biden laptop story, which was initially dismissed as ”Russian disinfo” by left-leaning news outlets like Politico. Herridge’s dismissal came as a shock to many coworkers, but it was the network’s decision to retain her personal documents and laptop that has caused alarm.
As part of a larger purge of employees at parent firm Paramount Global, twenty CBS News employees, including Herridge, were laid off. However, while other employees had their personal belongings returned to them, Herridge’s files and laptop were confiscated by the network.
“It’s so extraordinary,” a source stated, emphasizing the potential sensitivity of the files now in possession of CBS News. These documents could contain confidential material that Herridge had gathered throughout her career. The source also noted that typically, networks do not seize documents when an employee is let go, raising suspicion about CBS News’ motivations.
“They [typically] never seize documents [when you’re let go]. They want to see what damaging documents she has,” a second source explained.
This unprecedented action by CBS News could have significant implications for Herridge’s First Amendment lawsuit, which is closely followed by journalists across the country. The documents in question might contain confidential conversations with her attorneys or the identities of her sources, potentially affecting the outcome of her case.
Herridge is already facing criticism for allegedly defying U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper’s directive to disclose her source of information in a federal investigation. This investigation pertains to a Chinese American scientist running a graduate program in Virginia that Herridge reported on during her time at Fox News. Failure to reveal her source could result in contempt of court charges.
According to insiders, Herridge had faced obstacles and a falling out with higher-ups at CBS News regarding her coverage of Hunter Biden’s laptop. Additionally, she had a contentious relationship with Ingrid-Ciprian Matthews, the president of CBS News, who was cleared of all charges related to discriminatory hiring practices and favoritism in 2021.
The retention of Herridge’s personal files and computer suggests that CBS News may be concerned about potential lawsuits or damaging information that could arise from her possessions. Moreover, the network’s actions raise questions about their commitment to journalistic integrity and the protection of reporters’ sources.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this unprecedented move by CBS News will impact Herridge’s First Amendment lawsuit and the broader discussion surrounding journalistic freedom and accountability.
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