Catherine Herridge confronts government overreach head-on, delivering a stirring defense of press freedoms during a pivotal House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing. In a stirring rebuke of government overreach, Catherine Herridge made her voice heard at a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing.

Facing down the Biden DOJ’s assault on journalistic freedoms, Herridge championed the Press Act while embroiled in her own legal battle. She delivered her opening statement with conviction, marking her first public words since being at the center of a significant First Amendment dispute.

“I was held in contempt of court for refusing to disclose my confidential sources on a national security story,” Herridge recounted. “This legislation will provide protections for every working journalist in the United States now and for the next generation,” she explained, referring to the Bipartisan Press Act.

Herridge’s testimony vividly painted the chilling effect of the threat of contempt charges and the pressure to reveal confidential sources on investigative journalism. She argued that without stringent protections, the willingness of sources to come forward with vital information would severely diminish, undermining the press’s role in holding power to account.

Amidst personal and professional turmoil, including being laid off and having her reporting files seized, Herridge’s resolve has only strengthened.

“The First Amendment, the protection of confidential sources, and a free press are my guiding principles,” she said, expressing her gratitude for the wide-ranging support from fellow journalists, First Amendment organizations, and notably, her former employer, Fox News.

CBS’s decision to terminate Herridge back in February was controversial as well. The network took drastic measures by confiscating her files, computers, and records, which included sensitive information on privileged sources according to reports.

Overall, Herridge’s testimony serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle to safeguard press freedoms and the essential role journalists play in holding power to account.