Key facts
- Catherine Herridge has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court.
- The petition seeks to halt a ruling that could force source disclosure.
- A daily fine of $800 is associated with non-disclosure.
- The case stems from a privacy lawsuit filed by a scientist.
- The lawsuit concerns stories Herridge wrote in 2017.
Investigative journalist Catherine Herridge has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to halt a ruling that mandates the disclosure of her sources or the payment of an $800 daily fine. This legal action is a direct response to a privacy lawsuit brought forth by a scientist who was featured in reporting by Herridge in 2017. The journalist's petition aims to prevent the enforcement of the lower court's decision, which threatens to expose the identities of individuals who provided her with information under the promise of confidentiality. The case highlights the ongoing tension between journalistic protection of sources and legal demands for information in privacy-related litigation. Herridge's appeal to the highest court in the U.S. underscores the potential implications for investigative journalism and the ability of reporters to safeguard their sources, a cornerstone of the profession. The outcome of this petition could set a significant precedent for future cases involving source confidentiality and the legal obligations of journalists.