The judge who ruled a reporter must reveal her source

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In a move that sparked intense debate over the First Amendment, a federal judge recently held a veteran reporter in civil contempt for refusing to name a source. This decision highlights the delicate legal balance between the government's need for information and the sacred protections of journalistic secrecy.

In a significant ruling in 2024, United States District Judge Christopher R. Cooper held veteran reporter Catherine Herridge in civil contempt. The case centered on Herridge's refusal to reveal a source, a move Cooper justified by stating that the need for the information outweighed her First Amendment protections. This decision drew widespread criticism from journalists and First Amendment advocates who view such rulings as a threat to the principle of confidential sourcing. Cooper’s judicial philosophy often involves navigating complex intersections of national security, government transparency, and individual rights. For instance, in the 2014 lawsuit Shapiro v. CIA, he ruled on a student's request regarding the U.S. government's involvement in Nelson Mandela's 1962 arrest. While he denied the CIA's motion to dismiss the request, he established a specific distinction regarding the NSA: the agency could issue a 'Glomar' response—refusing to confirm or deny the existence of records—only for intelligence records, not non-intelligence ones.

Cooper's career path reflects a deep immersion in high-stakes legal environments. Before his 2014 appointment by President Barack Obama, he served as an advisor on Justice Department issues for the Obama/Biden transition team in 2008. His private practice experience included representing clients in white-collar and anti-corruption matters, and his judicial record includes presiding over cases involving the 2012 Benghazi attack, racial discrimination suits against Airbnb, and the legalities of federal employee mass firings.

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