SAG-AFTRA condemned CBS Information following a report that the community seized correspondent Catherine Herridge‘s recordsdata after she was laid off earlier this month, however the community is disputing that’s what occurred.
Herridge, who was a senior investigative correspondent masking nationwide safety and intelligence, was among the many 20 or so information division staffers laid off amid a spherical of price chopping all through Paramount International.
Earlier right now, The Hill posted a chunk from legislation professor Jonathan Turley by which he claimed that the community “took the weird step of seizing her recordsdata, computer systems and data, together with data on privileged sources.” He wrote that the community was making an attempt to find out what was proprietary data, and he stated that Herridge “was pursuing tales that had been unwelcomed by the Biden White Home and plenty of Democratic powerhouses.”
A community supply, although, disputed the report that her recordsdata had been seized.
A CBS Information spokesperson stated in an announcement, “Catherine’s private belongings had been delivered to her residence one week in the past, and we’re ready to pack up the remainder of her recordsdata instantly on her behalf – along with her consultant current as she requested. We’re awaiting a response from Catherine and/or her consultant to take action. We now have revered her request to not undergo the recordsdata, and out of our concern for confidential sources, the workplace she occupied has remained safe since her departure.”
SAG-AFTRA, which represents on-air correspondents, issued an announcement this afternoon condemning the community.
“This motion is deeply regarding to the union as a result of it units a harmful precedent for all media professionals and threatens the very basis of the First Modification,” the union stated.
“It’s fully inappropriate for an employer to put off a reporter and take the very uncommon step of retaining and looking out the reporter’s recordsdata, inclusive of confidential supply identification and knowledge. From a First Modification standpoint, a media company with a dedication to journalism calling a reporter’s analysis and confidential supply reporting ‘proprietary data’ is each surprising and absurd,” SAG-AFTRA stated.
“The retention of a media skilled’s reporting supplies by their former employer is a severe break with conventional practices which helps the speedy return of reporting supplies. We urge CBS to return this materials to Catherine in help of essentially the most primary of First Modification rules.”
Herridge’s consultant didn’t return a request for remark, and she or he has not commented on her departure from the community.
