Veteran investigative journalist Catherine Herridge has publicly revealed the extent of CBS News’ seizure of her reporting files following her abrupt termination, detailing the large volume of materials involved.
In a post on Thursday, Herridge shared images of four large moving boxes containing over 100 pounds of sensitive investigative records that she says were unlawfully taken by the network.
“Today, I am releasing photos of the records for the first time so you can see the sheer volume involved,” Herridge wrote on X.
“Four large moving boxes, weighing over 100 lbs in total.”
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Herridge, formerly a senior investigative correspondent at CBS News, stated that the confiscated files included key reporting on politically sensitive topics, such as the origins of COVID-19, the Hunter Biden investigations, and the classified documents case involving President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Following her termination in February 2024, she accused CBS News executives of improperly taking possession of her investigative materials, including confidential source information.
CBS initially claimed it was simply “securing and protecting” the files, with a Paramount lawyer describing them as “run-of-the-mill work product.”
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Herridge pushed back against CBS’s justification, taking her case to Congress.
In April 2024, she testified before lawmakers, condemning the network’s actions as a violation of press freedom and characterizing the seizure of her files as a “journalistic rape.”
Her battle for journalistic integrity was not new.
In 2023, she was found in civil contempt by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper for refusing to reveal a confidential source linked to her 2017 reporting on a Chinese American scientist under FBI investigation.
The court imposed a daily fine of $800 until she complied, underscoring the legal challenges faced by journalists protecting their sources.
One year after her termination, Herridge’s files were finally returned, thanks to pressure from SAG-AFTRA, the union representing broadcast journalists.
She credited the union for taking a stand for investigative journalism and ensuring the protection of press rights.
“Without SAG-AFTRA, my files would never have been returned,” she posted on X, thanking the organization for defending journalistic freedom.
“I hope no investigative reporter has to suffer a similar injustice in the future.”
CBS News’ handling of Herridge’s termination and the seizure of her files drew sharp criticism from lawmakers.
In February 2024, the House Judiciary Committee launched an inquiry into CBS’s actions, questioning whether the network’s moves were politically motivated.
Committee chair Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a letter to CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, demanding answers on who within CBS or its parent company, Paramount Global, was responsible for the decision to terminate Herridge and take possession of her materials.
“The unprecedented actions of CBS News could deter quality journalism and diminish our country’s dedication to a free press,” the letter stated.
Herridge was among just 20 CBS News employees laid off in early 2024, as part of a larger round of job cuts at Paramount Global, which saw approximately 800 workers let go.
However, her firing—combined with CBS’s handling of her investigative files—has fueled concerns about press freedom and media bias.
With her documents now returned, Herridge continues to press for greater protections for investigative journalists, warning that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the future of independent reporting.
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