CBS News President to Receive Free Speech Award After Network Seized Reporter’s Files

CBS News President Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews will receive a First Amendment Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).

“It is our sacred duty to promote, protect and defend the First Amendment, which makes journalism the only vocation specifically protected in our Constitution,” RTDNA Foundation President Dan Shelley said. “The individuals represented in this group of recipients embody the spirit of such journalism. And, their work reminds us why it is so important to defend the First Amendment each and every day.”

Ciprián-Matthews was selected for the award due to her “commitment to excellent and ethical journalism, especially at a time when the stakes are so high. Her leadership during some of the most challenging news stories in American history is a testament to the power of journalism,” RTDNA states on its award announcement.

The March 9 award ceremony comes just weeks after CBS News let go of former Fox News journalist Catherine Herridge and seized her files.

Media Research Center President Brent Bozell criticized the award on X, writing, “Can’t make this up. CBS News fires @CBS_Herridge, then steals her notes, and in disgrace is forced to return them.” He noted, “A week later, the president of @CBSNews who signed off on that theft receives an industry free speech award.”

Can’t make this up. CBS News fires @CBS_Herridge, then steals her notes, and in disgrace is forced to return them.

A week later, the president of @CBSNews who signed off on that theft receives an industry free speech award. https://t.co/km5O8sVVKd

— Brent Bozell (@BrentBozell) February 28, 2024

The seizure of Herridge’s files was considered “unprecedented” and “extraordinary” by those familiar with the situation.

The Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) later shared that the filed had been returned.

“SAG-AFTRA is pleased to confirm that earlier today a representative of our union monitored the return of several boxes containing Catherine Herridge’s reporting materials from her CBS News office in Washington D.C. Herridge is currently reviewing the materials,” SAG-AFTRA said.

“We welcome CBS News’ reversal which came after SAG-AFTRA’s intervention and widespread media coverage that underscored shared concerns about press freedom and the First Amendment,” the statement continued. “The resolution of this matter sends a strong message of protection for basic First Amendment principles. We further hope the public focus now turns to SAG-AFTRA’s continued efforts to support a Press Shield law that provides additional federal protections for journalists and their confidential sources.”