Below is my column in The Hill on the trouble brewing at CBS over the seizure of the files of acclaimed investigative reporter Catherine Herridge. The column broke the story on the uproar over not just her being laid off but her being locked out from her files. I am now hearing from CBS sources that the network is moving toward a resolution to turn over the files after the outcry. However, the concerns over Herridge’s firing and the network’s handling of her confidential notes continues to draw fire from journalists and commentators. The union issued a statement (below) after the column that “CBS News’ decision to seize Catherine Herridge’s reporter notes and research … sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment.”
Here is the column:
“Anyone who isn’t confused really doesn’t understand the situation.” Those words, from CBS icon Edward R. Murrow, came to mind this week after I spoke with journalists at the network.
There is trouble brewing at Black Rock, the headquarters of CBS, after the firing of Catherine Herridge, an acclaimed investigative reporter. 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.
The position of CBS has alarmed many, including the union, as an attack on free press principles by one of the nation’s most esteemed press organizations.
I have spoken confidentially with current and former CBS employees who have stated that they could not recall the company ever taking such a step before. One former CBS journalist said that many employees “are confused why [Herridge] was laid off, as one of the correspondents who broke news regularly and did a lot of original reporting.”
That has led to concerns about the source of the pressure. He added that he had never seen a seizure of records from a departing journalist, and that the move had sent a “chilling signal” in the ranks of CBS.
A former CBS manager, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that he had “never heard of anything like this.” He attested to the fact that, in past departures, journalists took all of their files and office contents. Indeed, the company would box up everything from cups to post-its for departing reporters. He said the holding of the material was “outrageous” and clearly endangered confidential sources.
Herridge declined to make any public comments on her departure.
CBS also did not respond to my inquiries about this.
A source within the the union, SAG-AFTRA, confirmed that it has raised this controversy with CBS and remains extremely concerned about the effect of this action on journalistic practices and source confidentiality. The union believes this is “very unusual” and goes far beyond this individual case. “It is a matter of principle,” a union spokesperson added. “It is a matter of serious concern. We are considering all of our options.”
For full disclosure, I was under contract twice with CBS as a legal analyst. I cherished my time at the network. I have also known Herridge for years in both legal and journalistic capacities.
CBS is one of the world’s premier news organizations, with a legendary history that includes figures from Murrow to Walter Cronkite to Roger Mudd. That is why the hiring of Herridge was so welcomed by many of us. The network was at risk of becoming part of the journalistic herd, an echo-chamber for Democratic and liberal narratives. It had been mired in third place for ages, and it was moving in the wrong direction by alienating half of the country.
Herridge had been a celebrated investigative reporter at Fox News. An old-school investigative journalist, she is viewed as a hard-driving, middle-of-the-road reporter cut from the same cloth as the network’s legendary figures.
The timing of Herridge’s termination immediately raised suspicions in Washington. 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. She continued to pursue these stories despite reports of pushback from CBS executives, including CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews.
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. Those records, it suggests, are presumptively the property of CBS News.
For many of us who have worked in the media for decades, this action is nothing short of shocking. Journalists are generally allowed to leave with their files. Under the standard contract, including the one at CBS, journalists agree that they will make files available to the network if needed in future litigation. That presupposes that they will retain control of their files. Such files are crucial for reporters, who use past contacts and work in pursuing new stories with other outlets or who cap their careers with personal memoirs.
The heavy-handed approach to the files left many wondering if it was the result of the past reported tension over stories.
Regardless of motive, the company is dead wrong.
These files may contain sources who were given confidentiality by Herridge. The company is suggesting that the privilege of confidentiality (and the material) rest ultimately with CBS. As a threshold matter, that cannot be the case with regard to files that were generated during Herridge’s long stint with Fox News. Yet CBS appears to be retaining those files, too.
When sources accept confidentiality assurances, it is an understanding that rests with the reporter. It is a matter of trust that can take a long time to establish on a personal level between a reporter and a source.
It is certainly understood that the network stands behind that pledge. However, most sources understand that their identity and information will be kept protected by the reporter and only disclosed to a select group of editors or colleagues when necessary. It is the reporter who implicitly promises to go to jail to protect confidentiality — and many have done so. Such agreements are less likely to occur if sources are told that any number of unnamed individuals, including non-journalists, could have access or custody of these files.
When “Deep Throat” agreed to disclose his identity to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, he was assured that they would protect it until his death. He would not have been so inclined if he had been told that this was a type of privilege by committee with potential disclosures to corporate, legal and HR personnel. Reporters like Herridge have long served as the primary defenders of privileged sources. Indeed, Herridge is still in court defending confidentiality over a series of stories at Fox News in 2017, even at the risk of being held in contempt.
CBS is suggesting that it will allow unnamed individuals to rifle through Herridge’s files to determine what will remain with the network and what will be returned to the reporter. That could fundamentally alter how reporters operate and how willing sources are to trust assurances that they will be protected.
In criminal cases involving privileged information, the government has an elaborate “filter team” system to wall off access to information under review. In the court system, judges use in camera and ex parte reviews to protect such information. Ironically, the media itself seems to take a more ad hoc approach. Indeed, CBS seems to have adopted a “Trust us, we’re the media” approach. However, that could expose these files to the access of unnamed lawyers, tech staff and others who are conducting this inventory and analysis.
CBS should reconsider this move before it does real harm to itself or its reporters. Ironically, it should not want to be the custodian of such records, which can expose the company to production demands in litigation, such as the ongoing fight over the confidentiality of the Fox sources. To store such documents is to invite a storm of subpoenas.
CBS could be forcing a showdown with the union, which must protect not only this journalist but all journalists seeking to maintain control and confidentiality of their files.
The union may have no choice but to go to court to force CBS to protect journalistic values, including a demand for an injunction to force the company to secure these files and bar review until a court has had a chance to consider these questions of confidential and proprietary claims to the files.
Famed CBS anchor Walter Cronkite once said “our job is only to hold up the mirror — to tell and show the public what has happened.” It now appears that CBS itself will have to look into that mirror and answer some questions of what happened to the confidential records of Catherine Herridge.
Jonathan Turley is the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro professor of public interest law at the George Washington University Law School.
Here is the statement of the SAG-AFTRA union:
SAG-AFTRA strongly condemns CBS News’ decision to seize Catherine Herridge’s reporter notes and research from her office, including confidential source information. This action is deeply concerning to the union because it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment.
It is completely inappropriate for an employer to lay off a reporter and take the very unusual step of retaining and searching the reporter’s files, inclusive of confidential source identification and information. From a First Amendment standpoint, a media corporation with a commitment to journalism calling a reporter’s research and confidential source reporting “proprietary information” is both shocking and absurd.
The retention of a media professional’s reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials. We urge CBS to return this material to Catherine in support of the most basic of First Amendment principles. We are encouraged by recent outreach by CBS News to SAG-AFTRA on this matter, and we are hopeful that it will be resolved shortly.
I am SHOCKED!
I am shocked that SAG-AFTRA and CBS employees finally have said something about CBS practices. Maybe it’s because the BOTs are coming, the BOTS are coming!
Something big (and not good) is going to happen before the year is over. Not sure what it is, but something is brewing. You can just feel it.
E.M.
I agree.
Invest in chickens, PMs, ammo and your own personal health.
Famed CBS anchor Walter Cronkite once said “our job is only to hold up the mirror — to tell and show the public what has happened.”
That’s what he served up publicly.
He said his most important legacy was the way he was able to frame the Viet Nam war on film, to turn public opinion against the war. Cronkite took credit for ending the war.
I remember that. We just kicked VietCong butt at the Tet Offensive, too. Cronkite is typical of people who view themselves as “unbiased”, when in fact, they are probably more set in their ways than most other people. You can see that same condescending look on Leslie Stahl’s face. And many others.
You and I are of the same vintage obviously. Our Parents/family fought WWII. But Cronkite etal, made veterens pariahs in their home nation. My mother was the Vet because my dad was the only son, and had to stay on the farm. The local board refused his application to the military. Despite their Patriotism, both mom and dad worked hard to keep their 3 boys from the military . Part of the help came from the family lawyer, who was also a WWII vet and a General in the Iowa National Guard. In those days the definition of Patriot was very fluid.
The point being, the likes of Cronkite vilified veterans, for the ACTIONS of politicians. Politicians, not generals were playing war games with the best of our youth.
Yes. My father served in Korea and Vietnam. He said that we could have won that war, but we were held back. Who knows? Yes, we treated veterans shamefully, and still are in some ways.
Floyd, I think we won the war on the battlefield (Tet Offensive) and lost the war at home and in the press. I remember a significant figure from N. Vietnam saying the US would have won. Their game was to play the war in the media because they couldn’t win it on the battlefield. It was a lousy war, to begin with, and was mismanaged. The end of the war was shameful, and the attitude toward our young children returning from battle was horrendous.
Exactly. My father said that the ROK troops and people were right there supporting them, whereas it was iffy about the Vietnamese. Whatever, a Marshall amp I bought was made there, so time to put it all behind us, and not fall for The Domino Effect stuff with Russia.
Walter Cronkite didn’t end the Vietnam War. My mother did. She didn’t understand why they were shooting at her son and didn’t know what the end game was.
Her son on the other hand, doesn’t understand why we are sending her great grandchildren’s money to a country that doesn’t hold elections, locks up its political opponents and for a war where there is no end game.
and didn’t know what the end game was.
And you think Cronkite etal had nothing to do with planting that seed of doubt? That question?
Cronkite should have planted the seed of doubt right after the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, not 4 or five years later.
All he had to do was ask in 1964, “What is the end game”.
There are only two wars that I know of that had an end game stated,
WWII by FDR, “Unconditional Surrender” and George H. W. Bush, “Get Sadam out of Kuwait”
NO, its isn’t Cronkite’s job to direct public policy. What if another anchor was slanting it the other way or if an anchor was slanting it against the civil rights movement? DO YOUR DAMN JOB and leave opinion to opinion writers. We don’t need Dan Rather and Jim Acosta pushing their agenda.
I always thought Walter Cronkite was just a higher paid Ted Baxter.
Democrats are fighting a one sided Civil War against America their 2nd….are you fighting back? Time to Abolish the Democrat Party for GOOD
Defund 50% Federal Spending(end all federal aid to cities, states, colleges and non-profits where anyone gets $100k)…move power back to the people
move 75% of DC government to the heartland! END THE CENTAL POWER OF ROME!
Democrats are fascists…not unlike Germans and Italians 1930’s
If you study the actions of PNF and the National Socialists in the 1930s, you’ll find many similarities to our current president and his party of handlers.
‘THEY’ are getting ready for W.W. III – The writing is all over the Wall.
THOSE whom stay in line and have proven to provide useful work, will be ‘kept’.
THOSE whom are no longer useful will be cast away [Deleted].
The Chill Effect is real – It’s also a Test, to see Whom is worthy and Whom is not.
Be careful Jonathan, The Powers of the Primal Forces are not to be messed with.
THEY will get THEIR WAR – There’s no recourse for THEM.
Democrats are fighting a Civil War against America….worse than WWIII
It is their 2nd Civil War!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠
You don’t spend hundreds of Billions Dollars in Ukraine,
and not have a Real-War to show for it, -Wake Up Stupid-.
Tactical Nukes are gonna Fly
𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬
By: Tyler Durden ~ Feb 22, 2024
[Link] zerohedge.com/markets/nato-troops-are-operating-ukraine-disguised-mercenaries-russian-general-claims
𝐁𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞
By: Tyler Durden ~ Feb 22, 2024
[Link] zerohedge.com/geopolitical/biden-moving-send-long-range-missiles-ukraine-200-mile-range
𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡: 𝐏𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨-𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
By: Tyler Durden ~ Feb 22, 2024
[Link] zerohedge.com/geopolitical/watch-putin-co-pilots-supersonic-nuclear-capable-bomber
𝐙𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐤𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬
By: Tyler Durden ~ Feb 22, 2024
[Link] zerohedge.com/geopolitical/zelensky-opens-ukraines-national-guard-foreigners-amid-severe-manpower-crisis
𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝟏 𝐈𝐧 𝟏𝟎 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧
By: Tyler Durden ~ Feb 22, 2024
[Link] zerohedge.com/geopolitical/only-1-10-europeans-think-ukraine-can-win-war-pessimism-sets
The left has become a lawless group and I can’t understand how the wealthy in this country can support such fascist and authoritarian ideology that is set on destroying this country. Like most things that drive change, the depth of the lefts reckless ideology has not impacted them yet. It will as the doom loop is in full gear. Once it does and get their attention, I fear it will be too little to late to save what was once a great nation.
really? I live around NYC…people get paid obscene money to be the SYSTEM. DC Same! Silicon Valley…SAME. Liberal State Governments…IL, NY, MA, CA, etc make their WORKERS RICH…for their LACK OF MORALS!
The wealthy citizens in Germany and Italy supported the same fascist ideology. They will support whatever they perceive is in their interests. They should study history. The real history, not the one taught today.
There ain’t nobody going to change nothing while they are winning. And often, even when they hit rock bottom, they persist.
It is like good-looking women. From about the age of 18 to 30, maybe a few years beyond, so many women are beyond any kind of personal growth, or insight. Because when they are beautiful, they can get their way, and if not with one man, then they will simply change men. Some, get close to 30, and then they wake up and realize, it is time for me to settle down, and behave myself. But many others do not. So, as they approach 40, you see them on videos, crying and complaining that they are alone, and do not have children, or love. And, that they have to take care of everything for themselves. The problem is, that men are no longer interested in them.
That, and what you said too – it is all about power. When you are on the top, then there is no impetus to change, or to even be taking a step back and looking at things, objectively.
Some of the richest, most privileged, most entitled aristocrats and noblemen in France sympathized with and even financed the French revolutionaries leading up to the Reign of Terror. Some of whom were rewarded with having their heads chopped off, too.
It is obvious from Catherine’s excellent work and digging, she was exposing and finding information that the Washington Elite/Biden Admin did not want exposed. also, they wanted her sources to go after them, one of the reasons they are going thru her files. Wonder who is going thru her reports CBS? or the Admistration? Perhaps Catherine has a set of records etc. hidden, just in case? I can accept CBS or any other organization that they can fire who they want, to cut costs. Main Street Media has a lot of very high salary empolyees and they are losing revenue.
Johnthan CBS are premier news organization? I have to question your comments.
I can’t wait to read Sharyl Attkisson’s comments on this. No doubt they are having clandestine meetings where they sweep for bugs beforehand and bring along bodyguards. The people they are up against play for keeps. Looking at our government and their media lackeys, it feels like we’re living in a David Baldacci novel…except this is real life, not fiction. Absolute power does corrupt absolutely.
It is now becoming clearer that Ms. Heritage was terminated not for cost savings but for what she was hired and paid to do. Except the target is protected by the Biden Regime and the Uniparty of politicians and CEO’s that have bought into the Communist program of propaganda. The seizure of her confidential notes and the locking her out of access to her work is a clear indication that there is a Federal effort to hide from the public what she has uncovered that is damaging to the Regime. I would not be surprised at all if up next is a DOJ led indictment forthcoming, to include Search Warrants of her home and any storage facilities. Wait for it………..
Control the information control the world. Just think of the fame and money ANY legitimate reporter would get if they investigated Biden and Obama truthfully reported their findings. It would be Pulitzer prizes and piles of cash. They would just have to live and stay out of prison to collect.
If Herridge, or any other reporter, has not got enough sense to keep sensitive information (sources, eg.) off their work computer, then what can you say. They have not been paying attention. They want to PRETEND that we are a nation of laws, and a nation of people with honor and integrity. I call this, the Bill Barr Syndrome.
I think Bill Barr is a decent person, and that is his problem. He has not yet realized how much other people, particularly the Democrat elite, are NOT like him. He still lives in the “Hail Fellow, well met!” world. That is why he could not take Trump’s allegations of a rigged election seriously. I am not saying Trump was right, although I believe he was. It is that people like Bill Barr can not believe that we live in an America where that is very possible. What Bill Barrs of the World, did you not notice the millions of illegals? Did you notice the ridiculous “Voter ID is Racist!” nonsense? Did you not notice Operation Crossfire? Or what they did to Mike Flynn? Or all the crookedness of the Clinton days? The “charity” slop jar of a political slush fund? Russiagate, did you not notice Russiagate. Did you not notice Abortion up until birth? Did you not notice the castration and double-mastectomies of children? I could go on.
Not to go into Hyperbole Overdrive, but Bill Barr is like the good Germans, who did not believe that Hitler was going to kill all those pesky Jews. No, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, and their ilk are fanatics in a way, and you can not put anything past them, or past their agents. And CBS is one of their agents. And NPR and HuffPo and WaPo and the NY Times and the NEA. So, if Herridge was not prepared, then she had Bill Barr Syndrome.
(“Hail fellow well met” is an English idiom used when referring to a person whose behavior is hearty, friendly, and congenial, in the affirmative sense.)
Trump was 100% right
Did anyone from the Russian Hoax Conspiracy, the biggest crime in US history, GO TO JAIL?
Of course not, and they are still Russia Russia Russia to this day. And there are idiots who still vote for them.
“I think Bill Barr is a decent person, …That is why he could not take Trump’s allegations of a rigged election seriously…. people like Bill Barr can not believe that we live in an America where that is very possible…. Not to go into Hyperbole Overdrive, but Bill Barr is like the good Germans, who did not believe that Hitler was going to kill all those pesky Jews.”
Floyd, we are in tremendous agreement, including your last point on the Germans. I met Barr, and one can’t help but like him.
He closed his eyes where the election was concerned and knowingly or unknowingly altered a critical number used in 2,000 Mules, making his distrust of it seem logical. But his suspicion wasn’t logical because the accurate number proved something was very wrong.
S. Meyer, Floyd, Hullbobby: (A quick OT note going back to something the three of you discussed yesterday)
(early on when I joined this blog, I mentioned this), -but have any of you seen the movie “The Chosen” with Rod Steiger and Robbie Benson (two Jewish kids in 1948, one Hasidic, one Zionist)? I wish I could send it to you, I have it on DVD and VHS. I think it won Academy Award. 1980s or 1990s? In any event, my eyes tear up at the very end (a parable about father and son). Please try to find it (library?) somewhere!
Lin, The Chosen was a great movie as was the book. The title is used by others, but this was written by Chiam Potok. It is one of the best, thank you.
Thanks Lin, I will try to find it. Keep up the good work, your contributions make this site even better.
Who was Bill Barrs father and what did he do? Did Bill Barr spend his entire life as a federal employee?
Traveler, you bring up a good point. We should not trust anyone who has spent their life in DC. Much of the bureaucracy needs to be spread around the country. The New FBI building should not be built as presently considered. That represents central power and a threat to individual rights. We should recognize all of Washington as servants of the people. All those servants should be forced to memorize a portion of Washington’s Farewell Address.
S. Meyer,
I spent a little time in and around DC.
In a word, dont.
But the Indian food was great!
Upstate, A number of years back, I ate in an excellent Afghanny restaurant, I think owned by the brother of Afghanistan’s leader. The meal was superb and inexpensive. I am sure I more than made up for the low cost in my taxes.
“If Herridge, or any other reporter, has not got enough sense to keep sensitive information (sources, eg.) off their work computer, then what can you say. ”
Agreed, Floyd, but there is more to this. I believe CBS runs grave risks if something harmful happens because other people viewed the information on Herridge’s computer. Some wish to call her a mere secretary, but if that is so, she is an agent of CBS who, with control of the data, might cause harm that would not have occurred had Herridge been the only person permitted to use her materials.
First we had Biden forcing the prosecutor in Del to let the SOL lapse for the worst of Hunter’s crimes, then we had Biden’s team almost getting away with the most egregious plea agreement in history, then we had Biden appointing the same team leader appointed SC to “investigate” Hunter and now the same guy has arrested and taken off the case the confidential source that has been used for about a decade.
We have also seen the Biden legal Stasi talk with Bragg in NY and then Bragg brings the most rediculous case ever invented against Biden’s opponent.
We have seen Biden’s legal team discuss the GA case with Fani’s boy toy and then the case in Fulton County is brought.
We have seen leftist activists pay for E Jean Carroll’s “legal defense” to bring another absurd case against Biden’s opponent.
We have seen the SC in DC bring a case against Trump for classified documents that is not nearly as criminal as the case Biden just avoided prosecution for.
We have seen Joe Biden create an Eviction Moratorium” that was clearly illegal.
We have seen Joe Biden come out and say that the SCOTUS told him he can’t pay off student loans but he is doing it anyway.
We have seen Joe Biden have his team call the NY Times, THE NY TIMES, to complain about their coverage of him. This is called “playing the refs”. It is not about the current call, it is about the next call.
Now we see Catherine Herridge getting canned and having her papers confiscated. The Biden Stasi is so ruthless that they had CBS fire a bunch of other people just to cover the fact that they were firing Herridge.
The firing of Herridge is another stab at “playing the refs”. Does anyone think that some 28 year old covering the WH doesn’t see what is happening and therefore will get even softer in their coverage of this doddering old tyrant?
Biden is the most vicious president we have had since maybe Wilson. He is the most corrupt leader since Harding. He is the most incompetent president since Carter. Sadly he is the first president that is truly compromised by his pals in the CCP and their new BFF, Iran.
Catherine Herridge with Fox for 23 years, Chris Wallace with Fox for 20 years. They leave for msm and get spit canned fairly fast. The grass always looks greener on the other side-until you get there! Kinda like Presidents.
Fox is just controlled “opposition” It is a joke!
I lmao’d when Prissy Chrissy Wallace moved, and then they cut off the streaming or whatever. Could not have happened to bigger bloviating blowhard.
The firing of Herridge echoes the firing of Sheryl (sp?) Atkinson, who was too competent at her job. The seizure of Herridge’s records echoes the FBI’s seizure of Trump’s records at Mar-A-Lago..
Wow, those CBS employees have short memories, what abut Lara Logan and Sharyl Attkisson?
Hawaiian SEBH are surveilling and planning pay back, they are better than any group to ever exist,mainly because nobody knows they exist. That’s going to be the story of the century.
@7:26
Very much agree.
Maybe Herridge, had the receipts for the connection.
Solvermn
CBS seized ” her files, computers and records, including information on privileged sources.”. What did CBS take that was not theirs? You work as a secretary. Your boss tell you to do research for a speech she is giving. Everything You use for this project belongs to the company. During your time there you señd and receive personal emails, all of this is on company equipment. They do nothing illegal in keeping it from you, it is theirs. Remember. Everything that is legal is not honorable. Everything honorable is not legal. Given a choice always choose Honor “
“What did CBS take that was not theirs?”
That’s not the point here.
The point is that CBS’ seizure of her work-in-progress is *abnormal*. Then the obvious question: What is their motivation? And the obvious answer (which JT provides): She was investigating the Biden’s addled state and his family’s bribery schemes.
What did CBS take that was not theirs? The sources ONLY belong to Herridge. Her unpublished work product that was not assigned by CBS. Its hard to tell what her employment contract looks like. Can she do pod casts? Can she write a book? It depends on her contract.
Despite that, tradition and norms in the media ecosystem regarded a reporters documents as theirs alone. She was fired. So unless there was assigned work product not yet turned in. It is impossible to determine what is CBS and what is personal
Iowan2,
Tradition and norms.
As the good professor points out, with journalists working for a new organization, it was tradition and normal for those journalist to be able to take their work with them if they were let go.
This action by CBS is a deviation of those traditions and norms.
Just like the Biden admin while campaigning on bringing back traditions and norms has done everything but that.
That was my initial thought as well. She was a CBS employee. CBS paid her to cultivate relationships with sources willing to share information, data, etc. for her reporting. I don’t understand why she is entitled to maintain possession of her “raw materials” used to produce her reporting after she is no longer employed by CBS.
Something seems off with this story to me.
Always make your own copy of what you write.
True, and I’m sure her (CBS) computer had a copy. But her notes and sources?
This is not about documents, its about information. You dont need the document, you need the information.
The message is very clear to the members of the “Press”: Fall in line little sycophants. We own you. Do our bidding or be gone.
And these little fools of the press corps thought that biased reporting meant ‘their’ bias. LOL!
“CBS is one of the world’s premier news organizations”
LOLOL