https://nypost.com/2024/02/22/business/cbs-seizes-confidential-files-of-fired-reporter-pursuing-hunter-biden-laptop-story-in-unprecedented/

CBS seizes confidential files of fired reporter pursuing Hunter Biden laptop story in ‘unprecedented’ move: source

The acclaimed CBS reporter who was investigating the Hunter Biden laptop scandal before she was fired last week had her personal files seized by the network in an “unprecedented” move, sources told The Post on Thursday.

Catherine Herridge — who is the middle of a First Amendment case being closely watched by journalists nationwide — was among 20 CBS News staffers let go as part of a larger purge of hundreds of employees at parent company Paramount Global.

Her firing had stunned co-workers, but the network’s decision to hold on to her personal materials, along with her work laptop where she may have other confidential info, has left many staffers shaken, according to insiders.

“It’s so extraordinary,” a source familiar with the situation told The Post, noting that the files — which are presumptively now the property of CBS News — most likely contain confidential material from Herridge’s stints at both Fox and CBS.

The source said the network boxed up all her personal belongings except for Herridge’s notes and files and informed her that it would decide what — if anything — would be returned to her.

“They never seize documents [when you’re let go],” a second source close to the network said.

“They want to see what damaging documents she has.”

A CBS spokesperson pushed back on claims that the network plans to keep any sensitive information belonging to Herridge.

“We have respected her request to not go through the files, and out of our concern for confidential sources, the office she occupied has remained secure since her departure,” the rep told The Post.

“We are prepared to pack up the rest of her files immediately on her behalf – with her representative present as she requested.”

Sources feared the network’s actions could have an impact on Herridge’s First Amendment case because her documents may contain privileged conversations she had with her lawyers or the identities of sources.

Herridge is under fire for not complying with US District Judge Christopher Cooper’s order to reveal how she learned about a federal probe into a Chinese American scientist who operated a graduate program in Virginia.

The journalist may soon be held in contempt of court for not divulging her source for an investigative piece she penned in 2017 when she worked for Fox News.

She could be ordered to personally pay fines that could total as much as $5,000 a day.

>>20462202

Insiders said that there are concerns that CBS could be subpoenaed to reveal her source’s identity, which would threaten free press principles.

“This is a company that only plays checkers. They don’t play chess,” the second source said.

“They don’t understand the ramifications of their actions.”

Herridge did not return requests for comment.

The Post reached out to Fox, which sources said is paying for Herridge’s legal counsel, for comment on the concerns raised in the seizure.

The network, which is owned by The Post’s sister company, did not respond.

Herridge had encountered roadblocks from higher-ups over her Hunter Biden coverage and had also clashed with CBS News President Ingrid-Ciprian Matthews, a sharp-elbowed executive who was investigated — and cleared — in 2021 over favoritism and discriminatory hiring and management practices, as The Post previously reported.

The second source speculated that the network may think Herridge has information in her files that could lead to a lawsuit for wrongful termination

Jonathan Turley — a legal scholar and a former CBS legal analyst who first broke the news of Herridge’s documents being seized in an opinion piece for The Hill — said the timing of the journalist’s termination raised suspicions.

“She was pursuing stories that were unwelcomed by the Biden White House and many Democratic powerhouses, including the Hur report on Joe Biden’s diminished mental capacity, the Biden corruption scandal and the Hunter Biden laptop,” Turley wrote.

Under normal circumstances, journalists are entitled to their notes and make available the files if needed in future ligation, but leaving sensitive documents in the hands of unnamed CBS officials, could compromise Herridge’s numerous other confidential sources.

It also potentially violates HIPAA laws, as her files may also contain personal and family medical records.

SAG-AFTRA, the union which represents CBS staffers, condemned the network for seizing Herridge’s notes and research from her office.

“This action is deeply concerning concerning to the union because it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment,” the union said in a statement to The Post.

The union added it has been in touch with CBS News and is hopeful the matter “will be resolved shortly.”

>>20462067

>Jesse Jackson Praising Donald Trump

>>20461727

>Bill C-367, if passed, would make it illegal to reiterate certain parts of the Bible

condemn homosexuality or transgenderism on biblical grounds

https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-statement-cbs-retention-reporters-files

SAG-AFTRA Statement on CBS Retention of Reporter's Files

SAG-AFTRA strongly condemns CBS News' decision to seize Catherine Herridge's reporter notes and research from her office, including confidential source information. This action is deeply concerning to the union because it sets a dangerous precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very foundation of the First Amendment.

It is completely inappropriate for an employer to lay off a reporter and take the very unusual step of retaining and searching the reporter's files, inclusive of confidential source identification and information. From a First Amendment standpoint, a media corporation with a commitment to journalism calling a reporter’s research and confidential source reporting "proprietary information" is both shocking and absurd.

The retention of a media professional's reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials. We urge CBS to return this material to Catherine in support of the most basic of First Amendment principles. We are encouraged by recent outreach by CBS News to SAG-AFTRA on this matter, and we are hopeful that it will be resolved shortly.

>>20462238

>An impressive security detail for someone that isn't "currently" president.

>>20461869

>30-day clock

https://downdetector.com/

>Freeland groomed in NAZI camps

https://www.npr.org/2024/02/20/1232815486/alabama-supreme-court-frozen-embryos

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/nikki-haley-sides-with-alabama-court-decision-on-frozen-embryos-204636229644

Asked if that includes “those created through IVF,” Haley replied, “I mean, I had artificial insemination. That’s how I had my son. So when you look at you know, one thing is to save sperm or to save eggs. But when you talk about an embryo you are talking about, to me, that’s a life, and so I do see where that’s coming from.”

Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant indicted for lying about President Joe Biden’s family and their alleged dealings in Ukraine, has been re-arrested in Nevada.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/21/politics/indicted-source-of-biden-allegations-was-prized-for-his-foreign-intelligence-connections

>>20462274

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/21/university-alabama-ivf-embryo-care-paused-supreme-court-ruling

Alabama university pauses IVF care after frozen embryos deemed ‘children’

University of Alabama at Birmingham says state’s supreme court ruling could expose doctors and patients to criminal charges

https://twitter.com/BidenHQ/status/1760387207020286457

Haley says she supports the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling threatening IVF access for women, made possible by Trump ending Roe: Embryos, to me, are babies

https://twitter.com/ireallyhateyou/status/1760977168426029162

Meet Benjamin, a French-Israeli soldier/pervert. For some reason he thought he could get more dates by posting a photo of himself with a collection of displaced women's underwear.

The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.

From 1990 until 1992, Clinton served on the corporate board of directors of Lafarge. Clinton earned an annual salary of $31,000 from her position on the board of the cement manufacturer, based in Virginia, did not do business in the state of Arkansas. Clinton was the board's first female director. In 1992, board member Edward Tuck claimed that he had decided to recommend Clinton for a position on its board after being impressed with nonprofit work Clinton had done related to children's matters.

>>20462433

>Bad news for Willis.

>>20462223

>statements deemed “antisemitic”

βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων

the Biblical Magi who come from the east call Jesus the "King of the Jews", causing Herod the Great to order the Massacre of the Innocents. Towards the end of the accounts of all four canonical Gospels, in the narrative of the Passion of Jesus, the title "King of the Jews" leads to charges against Jesus that result in his crucifixion