Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the legal proceedings involved in this case.
(NewsNation) — Veteran investigative journalist Catherine Herridge would love a face-to-face conversation with President-elect Donald Trump about freedom of the press, and remind him about how her own work benefited him eight years ago.
“If I didn’t have confidential sources, and this credible pledge that I would protect their identity, I would never have been able to uncover the defects in the Russia collusion case. And I think that should really matter to President Trump,” Herridge told NewsNation’s “CUOMO” on Thursday.
Herridge’s reporting for Fox News questioned the investigations into alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia. Her reporting drew praise from Trump.
Herridge’s desire for a meeting with the president-elect comes as journalists press the Senate to approve the Press Act, which would protect reporters from government agencies spying on their activities. The bill unanimously passed the House in January but has been stalled in the Senate. Trump recently urged Republican senators to oppose the measure.
Herridge is also busy trying to stay out of debt and out of jail.
Earlier this week, a three-judge panel heard Herridge’s appeal of her refusal to reveal her sources in a series of stories in 2017 about the founder of a military school in Virginia. Herridge linked the owner to China’s People’s Liberation Army; the owner then sued the government and subpoenaed Herridge to reveal her sources. Herridge has refused.
“This case involves the First Amendment and the right of reporters in the future,” she said.
During that suit, a judge found Herridge in contempt and levied an $800-a-day fine against her, but delayed enforcement pending appeal. At this week’s appeal hearing, the panel appeared skeptical of Herridge’s arguments.
“Confidential sources are just vital to investigative journalism,” Herridge said. “If you don’t have a credible pledge of confidentiality for your sources, then your toolbox as an investigator is empty. No government official, no whistleblower with firsthand knowledge of government corruption or wrongdoing will come forward,” she added.
