The Cost of Source Protection: Catherine Herridge in Conversation with Trevor Timm

Catherine V. Herridge, an Emmy Award‐winning veteran investigative correspondent, discusses the First Amendment, the U.S.A Press Act and the protection of confidential sources. Following a series of articles she wrote in 2017 about a federal espionage probe, the subject of the FBI case sued the US Government, accusing them of leaking information to Herridge, an alleged violation of the Privacy Act. As part of that case, Herridge was called as a witness and in February this year, a Federal Judge held Herridge in contempt for refusing to disclose her confidential sources. Daily fines of $800 have been stayed, pending Herridge’s appeal. The case is being closely watched by First Amendment advocates because the outcome will impact every journalist in the United States. It has also renewed bi-partisan support for the Press Act, a federal shield law.

Chaired by Trevor Timm.