Catherine Herridge says independent journalism will dominate 2026. She posted a video on X on January 1, looking back at 2025 and ahead to the new year. Herridge pointed to low trust in mainstream media and the growth of independent voices on platforms like X.
Herridge left CBS News in early 2024 after layoffs. She started her own platform and later launched a weekly show called Straight to the Point with the Los Angeles Times Media Group. The show focuses on investigations, interviews, and documents. It streams on digital channels and her X account.
In the video, Herridge shared details from her time at CBS covering the Hunter Biden laptop story. She said she worked hard to get a clean copy of the data, the same one given to the FBI.
That way, there would be no risk for the network. Still, some executives held back the reporting.
She recalled arguing against delaying a forensic report until after the 2022 midterms. ‘The story was ready earlier,’ she said. Her view is that news should run when it’s ready, not based on election timing.
Herridge also mentioned other follow-up ideas that did not air. One involved text messages from the laptop. Another looked at possible emails linked to Joe Biden. Executives passed on those.
She noted you can learn a lot about a news outlet from the stories it skips. Many people online agreed. Comments praised her for speaking out. Some said it shows why trust in big networks has dropped.
Polls back that up. Surveys show confidence in traditional media at low points. More readers turn to independent reporters or direct sources on social media.
Herridge has built a following since going independent. Her posts get strong engagement. The new show brings in guests like government officials for long interviews. No heavy editing, she says. Full transparency.
This shift comes as many journalists leave legacy outlets. Some start newsletters or video series. Platforms like X help them reach audiences directly.
Herridge spent years at Fox News before CBS. She covered national security and investigations. After the layoff, CBS took her files for a while. That led to questions in Congress about reporter rights.
Now she focuses on stories she chooses. Recent ones looked at veterans’ issues and government cases. As 2026 starts, Herridge sees more growth for independents. She bets on fact-based work without corporate limits.
Viewers seem to agree. Her latest video drew hundreds of thousands of views fast. Shares and replies kept coming. The media world keeps changing. Big networks face budget cuts and competition. Independents fill gaps with deeper dives.
Herridge ends on a positive note. She thanks supporters and promises more in the new year. Straight to the Point moves to Thursdays soon.
For many, her story shows a path forward. Journalism focused on facts, not agendas. People watch closely. Trust has to be earned one report at a time.
