CBS is facing backlash after reportedly seizing files from an investigative reporter it laid off as part of cost-cutting measures earlier this month.
According to an opinion piece from Jonathan Turley on TheHill.com, CBS News took possession of the “files, computers and records, including information on privileged sources” of investigative reporter Catherine Herridge, who was one of 20 staffers whose jobs were eliminated in a round of reductions last week.
“I have spoken confidentially with current and former CBS employees who have stated that they could not recall the company ever taking such a step before,” wrote Turley. “One former CBS journalist said that many employees ‘are confused why [Herridge] was laid off, as one of the correspondents who broke news regularly and did a lot of original reporting.'”
Turley added that several employees inside the network questioned why Herridge was removed in the first place, noting that she regularly broke major stories for the outlet. He continued by noting that many staffers questioned the motives of the company and its reasoning for dealing with Herridge’s files and possessions differently than other fired employees, with one manager calling the situation “outrageous.”
After his comments and column went viral early Friday morning, Turley noted that — under public and internal pressure — the outlet was making arrangements to return the files and information to Herridge.
“I am hearing from CBS sources that the network is moving toward a resolution to turn over the files after the outcry,” he wrote in a post to X. “However, the concerns over Herridge’s termination and the network’s handling of her confidential notes continues to raise alarm in the journalistic community.”
