Key facts
- Investigative journalist Catherine Herridge faces an $800 daily fine for refusing to reveal sources.
- A U.S. court of appeals denied her plea to stay a contempt ruling.
- Herridge has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay.
- Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has issued a temporary stay.
- The case originates from a privacy lawsuit filed by scientist Yanping Chen.
- Press freedom advocates support Herridge's stance on reporter-source confidentiality.
Investigative journalist Catherine Herridge is seeking intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a ruling that could impose an $800 daily fine if she does not reveal her sources. The case, which has been progressing through the appeals process for over two years, stems from a privacy lawsuit filed by Chinese American scientist Yanping Chen.
Chen's lawsuit aims to uncover who provided Herridge with information about a U.S. government investigation into her background and an educational program. Although Herridge was not initially named in the suit, Chen's legal team argues that compelling the journalist to disclose her sources is necessary for her client to obtain justice.
Herridge, who previously worked for Fox News and CBS News, has refused to reveal her sources, citing her responsibility as a national security journalist. Press freedom organizations have supported her position, highlighting the critical role of reporter-source confidentiality in investigative journalism and the potential chilling effect of such cases on reporters covering sensitive topics.
On Tuesday, the U.S. court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit denied Herridge's request to stay a February 2024 ruling by district court judge Christopher R Cooper that held her in contempt. In response, Herridge's legal team, led by appellate attorney Paul D Clement, filed a petition for a stay with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday. Chief Justice John Roberts has since issued a temporary stay, giving Chen until July 1 to respond.
Press advocates, like Seth Stern of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, have expressed concern over the case, emphasizing that forcing journalists to reveal sources undermines the First Amendment and the ability to hold powerful entities accountable. Fox News also criticized the appeals court's decision, stating that it sends a chilling message to newsrooms.