Award-winning investigative journalist Catherine Herridge has released photos of the confidential files CBS News seized from her, revealing that they included sensitive reporting on COVID-19 origins and Hunter Biden.
Herridge, who was fired by CBS News in February as part of widespread layoffs by parent company Paramount Global, shared the images on X (formerly Twitter) to mark the one-year anniversary of the network returning her files.
“Exactly one year ago, @CBSNews returned my investigative reporting files,” Herridge wrote on X.
“Today, I am releasing photos of the records for the first time so you can see the sheer volume involved.”
Herridge Reveals Scope of Seized Files
One image showed stacks of folders next to a Home Depot-labeled box. Herridge disclosed that CBS had taken over 100 pounds of investigative materials—four large moving boxes filled with sensitive documents.
Calling the network’s actions a “journalistic rape” and an “attack on investigative journalism,” Herridge expressed her hope that no other reporters would endure the same experience.
CBS News declined to comment on the matter.
House Judiciary Committee Investigates CBS News
The controversial seizure of Herridge’s files sparked a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing in April 2023 titled “Fighting for a Free Press: Protecting Journalists and Their Sources.”
During the hearing, Herridge testified about her experience, including her contempt of court charge for refusing to reveal confidential sources in a national security case.
Her materials were ultimately returned after pressure from the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the union representing 160,000 media professionals.
“SAG-AFTRA stood up for journalism when CBS News executives seized my reporting files,” Herridge stated.
However, Paramount lawyers defended the network’s actions, claiming CBS News acted to “secure and protect the material” left in Herridge’s office.
Hunter Biden Reporting Blocked by CBS News
Herridge, a former Fox News correspondent who joined CBS News in 2019, also faced editorial roadblocks when reporting on Hunter Biden’s laptop scandal before the 2020 election.
In October 2020, Herridge obtained documents showing that Hunter Biden received a $1 million retainer from a Chinese energy company and was involved in business dealings with foreign entities.
She presented the evidence to CBS executives, including then-SVP Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews and “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell, but her reporting was never aired.
Instead, CBS’s “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl dismissed the laptop’s contents in an interview with then-President Donald Trump, claiming they “couldn’t be verified.”
“As I watched the broadcast, I felt sick,” Herridge recalled.
It wasn’t until after the 2022 midterm elections that CBS News finally aired a forensic report confirming the laptop’s authenticity.
CBS News Faces Growing Backlash
CBS News has been criticized for media bias and editorial decision-making, particularly regarding its handling of political reporting.
In October, “60 Minutes” aired an interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, during which her responses about U.S. policy on Israel were edited. The network released two preview clips showing different responses, while the final broadcast condensed one of her answers.
Former President Donald Trump has since filed a $20 billion lawsuit against CBS News and Paramount, alleging that the edits were deceptive and designed to make Harris appear more articulate.
The New York Times recently reported that Trump and Paramount have agreed to name a third-party mediator in an effort to settle the dispute out of court.
Conclusion
Catherine Herridge’s revelations highlight serious concerns about press freedom, media integrity, and political bias in journalism. As CBS News faces ongoing scrutiny, Herridge continues her investigative reporting independently on Substack, determined to uncover the truth.
