Catherine Herridge appeals to Supreme Court over source protection

Former Fox News investigative reporter Catherine Herridge has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge a federal court order requiring her to identify confidential sources. Herridge is currently facing an $800 daily civil contempt penalty for refusing to disclose the identities of individuals who assisted her 2017 reporting on Yanping Chen.

The investigation centered on Chen, a Chinese American businesswoman who operated the University of Management and Technology in Arlington, Virginia. The reporting examined allegations regarding Chen’s purported past service as a colonel in China’s People’s Liberation Army and raised concerns about the university’s handling of data belonging to American military personnel receiving Department of Defense tuition assistance.

Herridge’s appeal highlights a disagreement among federal appeals courts regarding the scope of reporter’s privilege in civil cases. The Supreme Court’s decision could significantly impact First Amendment protections and the ability of journalists to protect sensitive sources during investigative reporting.