A federal choose held veteran investigative reporter Catherine Herridge in civil contempt on Thursday for refusing to divulge her source for a 2017 series of Fox News stories about a Chinese American scientist who was investigated by the FBI but by no means billed.
U.S. District Choose Christopher Cooper in Washington imposed a good of $800 for every working day until finally Herridge complies, but the wonderful will not go into impact quickly to give her time to attraction.
Cooper wrote that he “recognizes the paramount importance of a absolutely free press in our society” and the essential part of confidential sources in investigative journalism. But the judge reported the court docket “also has its personal function to engage in in upholding the legislation and safeguarding judicial authority.”
“Herridge and lots of of her colleagues in the journalism group may well disagree with that choice and desire that a distinctive stability be struck, but she is not permitted to flout a federal court’s get with impunity,” wrote Cooper, who was nominated to the bench by previous President Barack Obama.
A lawyer for Herridge, Patrick Philbin, declined to remark. A consultant for Fox News did not quickly react to an Related