Reporter Catherine Herridge is being held in contempt after refusing to expose a confidential source.
The source is connected to a report about a Chinese American scientist who was investigated by the FBI over a possible connection to the Chinese military.
Herridge’s 2017 reporting of the scientist, Yanping Chen, was based on portions of an FBI document, interviews, photographs, and Chen’s immigration and naturalization forms, the Associated Press reported.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper will fine Herridge $800 a day unless she reveals the identity of the source, although the fine will not be imposed immediately to give Herridge the opportunity to appeal.
Cooper wrote, according to ABC News, “Herridge and many of her colleagues in the journalism community may disagree with that decision and prefer that a different balance be struck, but she is not permitted to flout a federal court’s order with impunity.”
He “recognizes the paramount importance of a free press in our society,” but noted that the court “also has its own role to play in upholding the law and safeguarding judicial authority.”
Fox News said in a statement, “Holding a journalist in contempt for protecting a confidential source has a deeply chilling effect on journalism. FOX News Media remains committed to protecting the rights of a free press and freedom of speech and believes this decision should be appealed.”
CBS similarly said the contempt order “should be concerning to all Americans who value the role of the free press in our democracy and understand that reliance on confidential sources is critical to the mission of journalism.”
