'A Sign Of A Tyrannical Government': Hageman Discusses Press Freedom Threats With Catherine Herridge
At today's House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) questioned Catherine Herridge about the PRESSΒ ...
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Search every verified Hilary Hageman interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote β each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. During a September 2024 House Judiciary Committee hearing, Representative Harriet Hageman questioned journalist Catherine Herridge about press freedom and the protection of confidential sources. Hageman described the use of escalating daily fines against reporters who refuse to disclose sources as "a sign of a tyrannical government." She drew a parallel to the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to levy fines of $59,000 per day, which she said is used to force settlements. Hageman argued that such heavy-handed enforcement enlists the courts to compel disclosure of sources, undermining the First Amendment. Hageman praised Herridge for her willingness to "stand up to the tyranny" she said is seen in attacks on the First Amendment. She called on Congress to pass the Press Act, which she said would codify protections for journalists and prevent cases like Herridge's in the future. Hageman characterized the issue as a broader problem of government authority to levy heavy fines, which she described as resulting in tyranny.
“I have not lost a night's sleep about my decision to protect my confidential sources. That is the core of who I am as a journalist. I'm facing contempt fines because I am upholding the most basic principle of journalism: if you cannot offer a source a promise of confidentiality, your toolbox is empty.”
“These fines are designed so that you have to disclose your sources; you have to burn them. In a marketplace with an explosion of independent journalism and smaller outfits, they cannot withstand these fines or mount a costly and vigorous legal defense of the First Amendment.”
“It's a sign of a tyrannical government when we give them the ability to levy fines like this. For example, the EPA has the authority to levy fines of $59,000 a day, and they use that power to force settlements even if people are not necessarily guilty but cannot withstand the pressure.”
“Journalism is about an informed electorate, which is the bedrock of our democracy. If you cannot protect sources, it interrupts the free flow of information to the public.”
“Congress can pass the Press Act and codify these guarantees that will prevent cases like mine in the future.”
“When you have a government that has that kind of authority to levy heavy fines, it results in tyranny. This is a bigger issue that Congress needs to address across the board.”
“A hostile court system presents a significant challenge for journalism, especially when courts are enlisted to compel disclosure of sources, undermining the protection of a free press.”
At today's House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) questioned Catherine Herridge about the PRESSΒ ...
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