JOURNALIST HERRIDGE SEEKS SUPREME COURT STAY ON $800-DAILY FINE

Catherine Herridge, a reporter, has petitioned the US Supreme Court to halt an order requiring her to reveal sources or face a daily financial penalty. The case stems from articles Herridge wrote in 2017 whilst employed by Fox News. A district court judge previously held Herridge in civil contempt and imposed the $800-per-day fine, which she has appealed through multiple court levels. On Tuesday, a federal appeals court rejected Herridge's request to suspend the contempt ruling issued in February 2024 by district court judge Christopher R Cooper.

Herridge's legal team filed the Supreme Court petition on Friday, represented by appellate attorney Paul D Clement. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay of the appeals court decision, allowing until 1 July for the opposing party, Chinese American scientist Yanping Chen, to file a response. The case involves Herridge's refusal to identify sources who provided information for her 2017 reporting. Fox News issued a statement expressing support for Herridge, citing commitments to the First Amendment and journalist protections against forced source disclosure.

Chen's legal representative, Andy Phillips, stated that both district and circuit courts have ruled five times that Herridge has no privilege to protect the source's identity. Phillips claimed the source was a federal official who leaked protected materials and violated his or her position. The Supreme Court's temporary stay preserves the status quo whilst the justices consider whether to take the case. The outcome will determine whether Herridge must either reveal her sources or face accumulating financial penalties.