Major media outlets, including The Post, are demanding transparency and access to exhibits in the landmark Google antitrust trial. They are asking for notice before closed-door sessions and urging the judge to make more of the evidence available to the public.
The New York Times has filed a motion calling on Judge Amit Mehta to improve transparency in what they describe as “arguably the most important antitrust trial in decades, with far-reaching consequences for the future of the tech industry.”
The motion argues that the current level of public access to trial exhibits falls short of legal requirements. Despite the trial being in its sixth week, media outlets still do not have consistent and complete access to the exhibits.
Antitrust advocates have criticized the trial’s lack of transparency, including closed-door testimony by key witnesses and sealed records. There are concerns about the secrecy surrounding the trial.
Google argues that the secrecy is necessary to protect sensitive details about its practices, especially regarding its online search business. However, the judge has ordered the release of largely unredacted transcripts of certain testimonies to address public concerns.
The New York Times’ motion specifically requests the unsealing of testimonies from Apple executive Eddy Cue and Google executive Jerry Dischler, stating that there is no justification for redacting them.
“Sealing the courtroom is an extraordinary step in any case,” the motion states. The Times and other media outlets are urging the court to provide the public with notice and an opportunity to be heard before any further closed-door sessions take place.
The Times’ motion is supported by The Post, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, MLex, and Law360. These media outlets are emphasizing the importance of transparency in this crucial antitrust trial.
The secrecy surrounding the antitrust trial has attracted attention due to the potential consequences for Google if it were to lose. If the judge agrees with the Justice Department’s argument that Google has an illegal monopoly over online search, the company could be required to discontinue certain practices or even divest parts of its business.
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