Investigative writer Catherine Herridge was held in civil contempt and forced to pay $800 a day until she revealed her sources on Thursday in what is being dubbed a case with terrifying consequences for media. Shelved the decision to allow Herridge to file an appeal. According to the Washington Post, Herridge was a reporter for Fox News in 2017 when she produced a number of pieces regarding Chinese American scientist Yanping Chen.
The FBI looked into Chen's claims that she had served in the Chinese military and whether or not she had utilized a graduate program she started in Virginia to provide information on US service members to China, according to the AP.
Chen, who was never prosecuted, sued the federal government, claiming that Chen's privacy had been violated by internal government records that Herridge had obtained.
A court mandated in August that Herridge disclose how she found out about the FBI investigation. Herridge declined in a September deposition, claiming her First Amendment rights.
The court "recognizes the vital significance of a free press in our democracy and the important role that confidential sources play in the work of investigative journalists like Herridge," the judge said in his judgment on Thursday. However, the Court must also play a part in maintaining judicial authority and enforcing the law."
"The case may have vast First Amendment consequences for journalists and news organizations throughout the nation," says CNN, summarizing the reaction in the media.
The FBI looked into Chen's claims that she had served in the Chinese military and whether or not she had utilized a graduate program she started in Virginia to provide information on US service members to China, according to the AP.
Chen, who was never prosecuted, sued the federal government, claiming that Chen's privacy had been violated by internal government records that Herridge had obtained.
A court mandated in August that Herridge disclose how she found out about the FBI investigation. Herridge declined in a September deposition, claiming her First Amendment rights.
The court "recognizes the vital significance of a free press in our democracy and the important role that confidential sources play in the work of investigative journalists like Herridge," the judge said in his judgment on Thursday. However, the Court must also play a part in maintaining judicial authority and enforcing the law."
"The case may have vast First Amendment consequences for journalists and news organizations throughout the nation," says CNN, summarizing the reaction in the media.
