Firings at CBS
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Last week CBS laid off a bunch of people. Among them was investigative reporter Catherin Herridge.
CBS wants all of her files, including the ones from before her time at CBS.
There is trouble brewing at Black Rock, the headquarters of CBS, after the firing of Catherine Herridge, an acclaimed investigative reporter. Many of us were shocked after Herridge was included in layoffs this month, but those concerns have increased after CBS officials took the unusual step of seizing her files, computers and records, including information on privileged sources.
The position of CBS has alarmed many, including the union, as an attack on free press principles by one of the nation’s most esteemed press organizations.
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. 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.”
That has led to concerns about the source of the pressure. He added that he had never seen a seizure of records from a departing journalist, and that the move had sent a “chilling signal” in the ranks of CBS.
A former CBS manager, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that he had “never heard of anything like this.” He attested to the fact that, in past departures, journalists took all of their files and office contents. Indeed, the company would box up everything from cups to post-its for departing reporters. He said the holding of the material was “outrageous” and clearly endangered confidential sources.
Herridge declined to make any public comments on her departure.
CBS also did not respond to my inquiries about this.
The timing of Herridge’s termination immediately raised suspicions in Washington. She was pursuing stories that were unwelcomed by the Biden White House and many Democratic powerhouses, including the Hur report on Joe Biden’s diminished mental capacity, the Biden corruption scandal and the Hunter Biden laptop. She continued to pursue these stories despite reports of pushback from CBS executives, including CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews.
Given the other layoffs and declining revenues, the inclusion of Herridge was defended by the network as a painful but necessary measure. But then something strange happened. The network grabbed Herridge’s notes and files and informed her that it would decide what, if anything, would be turned over to her. The files likely contain confidential material from both her stints at Fox and CBS. Those records, it suggests, are presumptively the property of CBS News.
For many of us who have worked in the media for decades, this action is nothing short of shocking. Journalists are generally allowed to leave with their files. Under the standard contract, including the one at CBS, journalists agree that they will make files available to the network if needed in future litigation. That presupposes that they will retain control of their files. Such files are crucial for reporters, who use past contacts and work in pursuing new stories with other outlets or who cap their careers with personal memoirs.
The heavy-handed approach to the files left many wondering if it was the result of the past reported tension over stories.
Another take from a retired FBI agent:
I see two possibilities here.
The first is that CBS buckled to political pressure and fired Herridge—using the rather transparent cover of layoffs to include her among those let go. But, why seize her records? Well …
The second possibility is that powerful people want to know who Herridge’s sources are. That could simply be political operatives, but my guess is that such people could end up finding themselves in serious legal trouble. On the other hand, agencies of the Intel Community might also be interested in identifying her sources. One thinks of Herridge’s work on the Hunter laptop story. Might the FBI, for example, wish to know where she got her information?
I don’t know the answer to that specific question. Herridge has had a long run covering the Intel Community. The circumstances surrounding her firing suggest that CBS was placed under one helluva lot of pressure—there’s no other way to understand their willingness to jeopardize their ability to hire reputable journalists. That suggests either that some very powerful and influential people wanted Herridge’s career ended—as a lesson, perhaps, to other journalists covering intel matters—or … Maybe those same powerful and influential people had a very strong desire to learn who her sources have been over the years.
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Second possilbiity seems too "conspiracyish".
From another article:
Staffers at CBS News were not surprised by the layoffs. They were telegraphed previously by Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish. Paramount has struggled in the era of streaming video against larger competitors like Netflix and Amazon, companies that don’t have the burden of having to maintain linear TV assets like CBS, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. Paramount has grappled with trimming streaming investment costs even as it has seen a shortfall in advertising revenue in recent quarters.
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Second possilbiity seems too "conspiracyish".
From another article:
Staffers at CBS News were not surprised by the layoffs. They were telegraphed previously by Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish. Paramount has struggled in the era of streaming video against larger competitors like Netflix and Amazon, companies that don’t have the burden of having to maintain linear TV assets like CBS, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. Paramount has grappled with trimming streaming investment costs even as it has seen a shortfall in advertising revenue in recent quarters.
@taiwan_girl said in Firings at CBS:
Second possilbiity seems too "conspiracyish".
Yes, but...
How many other reporters/investigators were laid off? I would think they're among the highest-earning group. If the goal was to save money....
And, what's the precedent for confiscating the Herridge's computer and notes? Several sources say that there is no such precedent.
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@taiwan_girl said in Firings at CBS:
Second possilbiity seems too "conspiracyish".
Yes, but...
How many other reporters/investigators were laid off? I would think they're among the highest-earning group. If the goal was to save money....
And, what's the precedent for confiscating the Herridge's computer and notes? Several sources say that there is no such precedent.
@George-K said in Firings at CBS:
How many other reporters/investigators were laid off? I would think they're among the highest-earning group. If the goal was to save money....
Paramount laid off 800 people, with 20 from CBS
While the entire list of affected employees hasn’t been revealed yet, Deadline shared some employees who have already been let go:
Cheryl Bosnak: Paramount TV Studios executive vice president and head of current.
Kate Gill: Senior vice president of development.
Julie Katchen: Vice president of current.
Dominic Pagone: Paramount TV Studios senior vice president and head of communications.
Liz Paulson: Nickelodeon’s head of animation and live-action casting.
Paul Gilbert: Senior vice president of international formats, Paramount Global Content Distribution.Reported by CNN, some high-profile journalists at CBS News — including senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge and justice correspondent Jeff Pegues — will also be part of the cuts.
@George-K said in Firings at CBS:
And, what's the precedent for confiscating the Herridge's computer and notes? Several sources say that there is no such precedent.
That sounds quite bad, especially stuff that she did before working for CBS. However, I dont think it is too unusual for things that people learn/make/develop while working for a company are actually company property. I know it is this way in "regular" companies.
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Damn, you're good at ferreting stuff out.
So Herridge was one of two reporters let go. I wonder if Mr. Pegues' computer was confiscated and his pre-CBS notes taken. I'd guess not.
Pegues' dismissal, however, seems to be clouded by something other than budget cuts:
Among the other Washington casualties, sources said, was CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues, who was subjected to HR probes over his workplace behavior, including an alleged incident in which he dressed down a female colleague in a “20-minute rant.”
When the incident was investigated in 2021, insiders said, Ciprian-Matthews — who insiders have accused of promoting minorities while unfairly sidelining white journalists — attempted to “blame” the female correspondent and eventually gave Pegues a promotion.
More reporters:
A source said CBS News, which employs just under 2,000 people, got hit with 20 job cuts altogether.
Also among those laid off on Tuesday was Christina Ruffini, a political correspondent who has been featured on “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell,” “CBS Mornings” and “CBS Sunday Morning..."
Pamela Falk, CBS News correspondent for the United Nations based in New York, was also laid off, according to sources.
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There’s no justification or work product issue with her pre-CBS work unless there is a contract issue
@Mik said in Firings at CBS:
There’s no justification or work product issue with her pre-CBS work unless there is a contract issue
I was wondering about that. If there is something in the contract about her pre-CBS material belonging to CBS, then I don’t see how she has a legitimate, and by that I mean legal complaint.
But, as we’ve said many times, “legal does not necessarily mean what’s right or ethical. “
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So they let the Paramount Executive VP go as a smokescreen to cover the conspiracy to oust the journalist and her computer?
Is the computer owned by the company? If so, it would be pretty weird to let her keep it I would have thought.
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I honestly don't understand this. If I get let go from my job, they don't let me take anything with me other than personal items. Is it different for journalists?
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Don't think the contention is over hardware, but the personal notes and especially the source information.
“Cry havoc and let slip the DOGE of war!”
Those who cheered as J-6 American prisoners were locked in solitary for 18 months without trial, now suddenly fight tooth and nail for foreign terrorists’ "due process". — Buck Sexton
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Don't think the contention is over hardware, but the personal notes and especially the source information.
@Jolly said in Firings at CBS:
Don't think the contention is over hardware, but the personal notes and especially the source information.
Did they let her go back for her stuff, or did they tell her it'd be sent to them? If so, anything missing?
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Don't think the contention is over hardware, but the personal notes and especially the source information.
@Jolly said in Firings at CBS:
Don't think the contention is over hardware, but the personal notes and especially the source information.
I don't really know what is standard practice for journalists, but the expectation for me would be that what happens in my office stays in my office. Obviously, stuff gets taken away - my ancient collection of business cards, for example, but all my email, technical files, assessments, notebooks etc. would stay behind.
I was only joking
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@Jolly said in Firings at CBS:
Don't think the contention is over hardware, but the personal notes and especially the source information.
I don't really know what is standard practice for journalists, but the expectation for me would be that what happens in my office stays in my office. Obviously, stuff gets taken away - my ancient collection of business cards, for example, but all my email, technical files, assessments, notebooks etc. would stay behind.
@Doctor-Phibes said in Firings at CBS:
I don't really know what is standard practice for journalists
See the SAG*AFTRA comment above:
"The retention of a media professional's reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials"
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@Doctor-Phibes said in Firings at CBS:
I don't really know what is standard practice for journalists
See the SAG*AFTRA comment above:
"The retention of a media professional's reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials"
@George-K said in Firings at CBS:
@Doctor-Phibes said in Firings at CBS:
I don't really know what is standard practice for journalists
See the SAG*AFTRA comment above:
"The retention of a media professional's reporting materials by their former employer is a serious break with traditional practices which supports the immediate return of reporting materials"
I'd be interested to hear their justification for this, then. Based on some of the people let go, it seems like they're getting rid of some big positions, which kind of makes me think that isn't just some political shenanigans,
