Catherine Herridge
The Epitome of Investigative Journalism
a) What is a journalist?
According to the Oxford Language dictionary, it is a person who writes for newspapers, magazines, news websites, or prepares news to be broadcast.
b) Are there different types of journalists?
Yes! In the MasterClass (listed directly below,) states, there are 9 types: broadcast, business, entertainment, investigative, opinion, photojournalism, political, sports, and watchdog journalists. My intent is to delve into what "Investigative" journalism is.
For those not familiar, MasterClass at Work promises to "provide powerful, flexible training solutions featuring the lived experiences and insights from the world’s top experts."
Their definition of an investigative journalist's duty: "Investigative reporters’ goal is to shine a light on a particular topic or injustice. The biggest investigative stories stir public debate, inform politics, and shape history..."
c) What are the characteristics of Investigative Journalism?
Advocacy Assembly, another group explaining their mission as: "a free e-learning platform featuring dozens of courses for human rights activists, campaigners and journalists," provides the answer to my question in these
Five Key Ingredients in their article by David E. Kaplan:
1. Systematic in depth original reporting - You are taking your time and going through something in a systematic way to really understanding what is going on in the world. The work is original as well as in depth.
2. Forming a hypothesis - Good investigative reporters tend to think like an honest public prosecutor or a good police detective. They form a hypothesis about what is going on. They use the scientific method. You form a theory and you find the facts to support it. This is one of the hardest parts in investigative journalism.
3. Analyse public documents and data - The third element of investigative journalism involves using lots of public records and public data. Investigative reporters often talk a lot about following trails. Trails of people, money of institutions and accountability. They do this through paper trails and collect as much as they can on the public record. They got documents and data leaked to them and then they analyse that to follow the trails.
4. Making public things that are secret or hidden - Investigative reporters are often dealing with secret information. With things that people in power don’t want to come out-- it shows they’ve abused their position or power in society. Part of our job is finding those things and showing people what’s happening.
5. Focus on social justice and accountability - There has always been this calling in the investigative journalism profession to social accountability. Their mission is to hold companies, institutions and individuals accountable. Investigative reporting has been called the journalism of outrage and for a good reason. Investigative reporters believe in righting wrongs.
(To listen to a very interesting and obtain a broader understanding, click on a you tube video of David Kaplan in the article below:)
d) Who is Catherine Herridge?
According to the blog, Tidings Info :(https://tidingsinfo.com/#google_vignette)
*Born in 1964 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*Bachelor's degree from Harvard
*Master's degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
*Married over 20 years to Air Force Lieutenant J.D. Hayes
*Couple have 2 sons
*Worked in mainstream media for over 2 decades
e) Where Have I Seen/Heard of Catherine Herridge?
ABC, FOX, and CBS in that chronological order over a span of 20+ years working as an investigative reporter. For an in-depth look at her ultra-professional and impressive portfolio and awards:
f) How far is this brave journalist willing to go to stand up for the "freedom of the press?"
For the sake of the length of my story, I implore you to read these illuminating articles:
g) Has Catherine Herridge ever authored a book?
Yes! Her book, entitled, "The Next Wave," came out in 2011.
Excerpt from the author:
"I live in a military family, so my perspective is different from most correspondents'. I am not sitting on the sidelines reporting the story. I am feeling the impact. In 2009, my husband, an Air Force major and West Point graduate, was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, the birthplace of the Taliban. For nine months, I was a single parent with two children under five. Phone calls late at night made me nervous. When I investigate the future of al Qaeda, it's personal. I need to know what my family and our nation are in for. What I see, through my reporting, is a growing body of evidence that al Qaeda's American recruits are already here."
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Even before the lawsuit and the firing from CBS, and honestly a hundred times more so because of them, I have admired Catherine Herridge. I wish that all reporters/journalists would grow up to be just like her!!!
She is the definition of what investigative journalism is. I stand behind her in her quest for First Amendment rights and freedom of the press. Stand tall, Catherine!
About the Creator
Shirley Belk
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
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Five Bullets
I've said it before, that in my opinion, we Americans have made an art out of complaining. We complain about the weather, our spouses, which genre of music is "the best," and on and on the incessant grumbling continues. But what we love to complain the very most and the loudest about is : OUR GOVERNMENT.
By Shirley Belk11 months ago in The Swamp
Egypt Rejects What It Calls a “Fantastic” Emirati Offer: Power, Pride, and Politics in the Arab World
In a region where financial power often translates into political leverage, Egypt’s recent rejection of what officials described as a “fantastic” offer from the United Arab Emirates has drawn widespread attention. At a time when Egypt’s economy faces inflationary pressure, currency challenges, and rising public debt, turning down a lucrative proposal from one of the Gulf’s wealthiest states appears, on the surface, counterintuitive. Yet Cairo’s decision reflects deeper strategic calculations about sovereignty, long-term stability, and the limits of economic dependency. What Was Behind the “Fantastic” Offer? While official details remain limited, the Emirati proposal was widely understood to involve major investment, development rights, or long-term control over strategic assets. Such offers are not new in the Middle East. Wealthy Gulf states, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have increasingly used capital investment as a tool of regional influence, financing infrastructure, ports, real estate megaprojects, and energy ventures across the Arab world. From Egypt’s perspective, the offer was financially attractive—hence the term “fantastic.” In an era where foreign currency inflows are vital, Gulf investment has often been a lifeline for Cairo. Over the past decade, Egypt has relied heavily on deposits, loans, and investments from its Gulf allies to stabilize its economy and fund large-scale development projects. So why say no? Sovereignty Over Short-Term Relief At the heart of Egypt’s refusal lies a familiar concern: sovereignty. Egyptian officials signaled that while financial support is welcome, it cannot come at the expense of national control over strategic land, infrastructure, or decision-making authority. In other words, not all money is worth taking—especially if it risks long-term dependence or public backlash. Egypt’s leadership is acutely aware of domestic sensitivities. Public opinion has grown increasingly wary of foreign ownership of national assets, particularly land and ports. Accepting a deal perceived as selling off sovereignty could fuel social unrest, political criticism, and accusations of mortgaging the country’s future for short-term cash. By rejecting the offer, Cairo sent a clear message: economic cooperation must respect national red lines. A Shift in Egypt’s Negotiating Posture This decision also suggests a subtle shift in Egypt’s regional posture. Rather than passively accepting Gulf capital under unequal terms, Egypt appears to be asserting itself as a partner, not a client. This recalibration does not mean Cairo is distancing itself from the UAE—relations remain strong—but it does indicate a desire for more balanced agreements. Egypt has been working to diversify its economic partnerships, strengthening ties with Europe, Asia, and multilateral institutions. By widening its options, Cairo gains leverage, reducing the pressure to accept any single deal that may compromise long-term interests. Regional Implications The rejection carries implications beyond Egypt and the UAE. Across the Middle East and North Africa, countries facing economic strain are increasingly confronting a difficult question: how to attract foreign investment without surrendering strategic autonomy. Egypt’s stance may embolden other states to renegotiate terms with powerful investors, insisting on transparency, local ownership, and shared governance. At the same time, it may prompt Gulf investors to reassess how their offers are structured, recognizing that influence through capital has limits. For the UAE, the refusal is unlikely to trigger a rupture. Abu Dhabi is known for its pragmatic diplomacy and may return with revised terms more aligned with Egypt’s priorities. In regional politics, today’s rejection can become tomorrow’s renegotiation. Economic Reality Still Looms Despite the symbolism of saying no, Egypt’s economic challenges remain pressing. Inflation, currency devaluation, and debt servicing continue to strain public finances. Turning down major investment does not eliminate the need for foreign capital—it simply raises the stakes for finding deals that align with national strategy. The challenge for Egypt now is to translate this principled stance into sustainable alternatives: boosting exports, supporting local industry, attracting diversified investment, and implementing reforms that reduce reliance on external lifelines. More Than a Financial Decision Ultimately, Egypt’s rejection of the “fantastic” Emirati offer is about more than money. It reflects a broader debate playing out across the Global South: how nations balance urgent economic needs with long-term independence in an era of capital-driven geopolitics. For Vocal Media readers, this story resonates because it highlights a universal tension—between opportunity and caution, growth and control, partnership and power. Egypt’s decision reminds us that sometimes the most consequential choices are not about what a country accepts, but what it chooses to refuse. As negotiations continue behind closed doors, one thing is clear: Cairo has drawn its line, and the region is watching closely to see what comes next.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 7 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (8)
Ah yes, I vaguely remember this. Suppressing freedom of speech for political reasons is never okay, yet it’s sadly prevalent—especially, unfortunately, in my own party. This is the kind of stuff that fuels political distrust towards Democrats as a whole, and for a good reason; the lack of transparency and cover-ups are a terrible look. Catherine was done wrong, and I’m happy she remains determined and undeterred. An insightful piece, Shirley!
Investigative journalists play a crucial role in informing the public and influencing political and social change.
We haven't had a good reporter since Dan Brochow and Walter Cronkite. If we do have any who try to step forward, they lose their jobs and/or are sued. It's shameful that so many reporters forget the first rule of journalism: Report the news without prejudice. It's shameful what they are doing to Catherine, TBS. They're gagging her is what they've done. So many reporters disappointed me the day Clinton lost to Trump. They were actually bawling on camera and whining that it was the end of the world. Shameful. It wouldn't have mattered who I voted for; that behavior was disturbing and sickening.
Great article - thank you for bringing her name to my attention. Liberals and their media machines will double down and take down anyone who isn't in lockstep with them.
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Part of our job is finding those things and showing people what’s happening.
I didn't know who she was before this and I thank you for writing about her. She is sooooo inspirational! We truly need more journalists like her!
I can respect someone who fights for first amendment rights and freedom of the press… such as Rachel Maddow. She is a thorough investigative journalist in her own right whose first and foremost goal is to cut through the rhetoric and report the facts. It’s too bad that right now we have a president that is playing around with first amendment rights by barring the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One. All because the Associated Press refused to amend its style guide to change the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America”, as Trump had dictated. Truth is an executive order does not officially change the name of international waters. None of the rest of the world acknowledges it as the Gulf of America. It is still largely recognized as the Gulf of Mexico by the greater majority of the world. Trump is playing around with the constitutional rights of the press. Right now he can get away with it. But that may not last for very long. I would love to see Catherine Herridge give us an honest report of how Donald Trump is playing around with First Amendment rights on several different levels.