CBS News finally returned Catherine Herridge’s files after a very public backlash over them seizing her files in the first place. They claim they did not look at anything related to her confidential sources.
According to the Daily Mail, they fired her for investigating Hunter Biden.
Here’s more:
CBS News has returned the notes it seized from a high-profile reporter the network fired for ‘investigating Hunter Biden.’
Catherine Herridge, a veteran reporter covering national security and intelligence, was among the hundreds of CBS employees who were laid off by parent company Paramount last week.
Herridge covered investigations into the Biden family, and the network seized her personal notes after her termination in a move her union calls ‘completely inappropriate’ and ‘very unusual.’
However, CBS denied claims it had improperly seized Herridge’s private files and told DailyMail.com it had returned the materials to her.
In a statement on Thursday, SAG-AFTRA, the union representing CBS employees, said it ‘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,’ the statement added.
‘Catherine’s personal belongings were delivered to her home one week ago, and we are prepared to pack up the rest of her files immediately on her behalf – with her representative present as she requested,’ said a CBS News spokesperson.
‘We have respected her request to not go through the files, and out of our concern for confidential sources, the office she occupied has remained secure since her departure,’ CBS said.
Herridge had recently covered the House impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, special counsel Robert Hur’s report on his handling of classified documents, and the criminal charges against Hunter Biden.