{"id":2189819,"date":"2024-02-29T22:23:03","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T03:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-judge-holds-journalist-catherine-herridge-in-contempt-for-not-revealing-source\/"},"modified":"2024-02-29T22:28:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T03:28:33","slug":"obama-judge-holds-journalist-catherine-herridge-in-contempt-for-not-revealing-source","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-judge-holds-journalist-catherine-herridge-in-contempt-for-not-revealing-source\/","title":{"rendered":"Obama judge holds journalist Catherine Herridge in contempt for refusing to disclose her source"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fobama-judge-holds-journalist-catherine-herridge-in-contempt-for-not-revealing-source%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2189819&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Federal Judge \u200dHolds Investigative Journalist in\u2063 Contempt for Protecting Source<\/h2>\n<p>A federal judge \u2063appointed \u200bby former\u200d President Barack Obama made a controversial ruling on \u200cThursday, targeting veteran investigative \u2064journalist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/topic\/journalism\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Catherine \u2064Herridge<\/a>.\u2062 The judge held Herridge in civil contempt for her refusal to disclose the identity of her\u200d source regarding a series of reports on a Chinese \u2062scientist under \u200dFBI investigation at an \u2063American university.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. District\u2063 Judge Christopher Cooper didn&#8217;t hold back, imposing a hefty fine of $800 per day, amounting to nearly $300,000 per year, until Herridge reveals her source. Cooper emphasized that Herridge\u200d cannot simply disregard a federal court&#8217;s order without consequences, despite\u2064 the disagreement from her and many \u2064others in the journalism community.<\/p>\n<p>Known for her impartiality and\u2064 dedication to uncovering \u2064stories overlooked by mainstream media, Herridge is now required \u200dto disclose how she obtained information about the federal investigation. The focus of the investigation revolved around whether the Chinese scientist lied about her military service and if the Chinese had access to her university&#8217;s \u200bstudent database.<\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/onelink.to\/dwapp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-describedby=\"sk-tooltip-9096\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/onelink.to\/dwapp&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1700760801843000&#038;usg=AOvVaw2PQrVSrJfhxNb4LcARqniG\">Don&#8217;t miss out! Get the DailyWire+ app now.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<p>The Chinese national involved in the case filed\u2064 a lawsuit against\u2063 the federal government, alleging that\u2064 Herridge received information that \u2064violated their\u200b privacy.\u200d This included excerpts from an FBI document summarizing an interview, personal photographs, and details \u200bfrom immigration and naturalization forms, as\u2062 well\u2062 as\u2063 an internal FBI PowerPoint presentation, \u200daccording to the Associated\u200d Press.<\/p>\n<p>Fox\u2064 News strongly\u2064 criticized the judge&#8217;s ruling, stating, &#8220;Holding a journalist in contempt for protecting a confidential source \u2063has a deeply chilling effect on journalism. Fox News Media remains committed\u200d to protecting the rights\u200c of a free \u200dpress and freedom of speech and believes this decision should be appealed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related:\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/cbs-seized-confidential-files-from-fired-reporter-who-was-pursuing-hunter-biden-story-reports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CBS Seized Confidential Files From Fired Reporter \u2064Who Was Pursuing Hunter Biden\u200c Story<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How might\u2062 the judge&#8217;s ruling impact the future \u200dof \u2063investigative journalism and the willingness of\u2063 sources to come forward?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ting to over $85,000, until Herridge complies with the court&#8217;s order. The ruling has sparked a \u2062heated debate among \u2062journalists, legal experts, and advocates for press freedom.<\/p>\n<p>At the center of this controversy is\u200c the issue of \u200bprotecting sources, a crucial\u2062 element of investigative journalism. Journalists often \u2064rely \u2063on anonymous sources to expose wrongdoing, \u200bcorruption, and abuse of power. \u200bThe\u2062 promise of confidentiality helps sources feel safe to come forward with sensitive information, knowing\u200c their identity will be \u2062protected.<\/p>\n<p>Herridge&#8217;s case brings to\u200d light the delicate balance between the\u2062 journalist&#8217;s obligation to \u2063reveal the truth and the need to respect the confidentiality\u2062 of their sources. In this particular instance, Herridge&#8217;s\u200c reporting\u200c shed light on a potentially significant \u200bnational security issue involving a foreign scientist working in the United States. The information provided by her source allowed the public\u200d to be aware of \u200ba potential \u2063threat and prompted a national conversation\u2063 on the matter.<\/p>\n<p>The judge&#8217;s ruling raises\u2063 concerns about the chilling effect it may\u200d have on journalists \u2063engaged \u200cin investigative work. If journalists fear being held in contempt and\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/flotilla-heads-to-havana-in-support-of-cuban-freedom\/\" title=\"Flotilla heads to Havana in support of Cuban freedom\">facing hefty fines<\/a> for protecting their sources, they might be discouraged from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cbs-seizes-records-of-investigative-reporter-who-probed-hunter-biden-laptop-scandal\/\" title=\"CBS seizes records of reporter probing Hunter Biden laptop scandal\">pursuing important stories<\/a> that hold the powerful accountable.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters of the\u2063 judge&#8217;s decision argue that the \u200dcourt has the right\u200c to \u2063demand\u200c information in certain\u200c cases, especially if it pertains to matters of national security. They contend that \u200cHerridge&#8217;s refusal jeopardized\u2063 the\u200b government&#8217;s ability to investigate potential \u2063threats and undermined the\u2064 judicial process.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, opponents argue\u200c that protecting sources is an essential pillar of a free and independent press. They believe \u200dthat forcing journalists to disclose their\u2063 sources not\u200b only violates their rights but\u2062 also compromises their ability to fulfill their role as watchdogs of democracy.<\/p>\n<p>This case highlights the need\u200b for\u200d a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-fox-news-reporter-refuses-to-reveal-source-faces-contempt-charge\/\" title=\"Ex-Fox News Reporter Defies Source Disclosure, Faces Contempt Charge.\">federal shield law<\/a> that protects journalists \u2063from being compelled to reveal their sources. Various attempts have \u200bbeen made in the past to pass such \u200clegislation, but they have not garnered enough support to become law. A \u2062federal shield law would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-house-committee-advances-bill-giving-qualified-immunity-to-armed-teachers\/\" title=\"Iowa House committee approves bill granting armed teachers qualified immunity\">provide legal\u2062 protection<\/a> for journalists who\u200c find themselves <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/jay-leno-files-for-conservatorship-of-wifes-estate-amid-her-dementia-diagnosis\/\" title=\"Jay Leno seeks conservatorship for wife's estate due to her dementia\">facing similar \u200bsituations<\/a>, ensuring that the \u200dpublic&#8217;s \u200cright to \u200cknow \u200dis safeguarded.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, Herridge&#8217;s legal team has vowed to\u2064 appeal the judge&#8217;s decision.\u200c They argue that it \u2063sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the principles\u2064 of a free press. They contend that journalists should be seen as a\u2064 vital\u200b watchdog of government and that their ability to protect sources\u200d is crucial in carrying out\u2064 their duty\u200c to inform the \u200cpublic.<\/p>\n<p>As \u200cthis case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by journalists and the critical role they play in holding power accountable. The protection of sources is essential in maintaining a vibrant and \u2064robust democracy. It is\u200b our responsibility to support and defend the journalists who are committed to uncovering the truth, even \u2063if \u200cit \u200cmeans standing up against powerful institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former President Barack Obama&#8217;s chosen federal judge, Christopher Cooper, has ruled that investigative journalist Catherine Herridge must be held in civil contempt. Herridge refused to disclose her source for reports on a Chinese scientist under FBI investigation at an American university<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":102,"featured_media":2189820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2024\/02\/catherine-herridge-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2189819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-daily-wire"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2024\/02\/catherine-herridge-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2189819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/102"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2189819"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2189819\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2189820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2189819"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2189819"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2189819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}