PolyMet Mining Corp. has asked a judge to bar news photographers and recording equipment from a court hearing next week examining whether state and federal regulators mishandled a water pollution permit for its proposed mine in northern Minnesota.
The proceedings could be "misconstrued" by the media, the company said.
PolyMet asked the court to limit audio and visual recording by the Star Tribune and MinnPost to witness testimony only, except for two witnesses who said they don't want to be recorded: Brad Moore, a former commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) who is now an executive at PolyMet; and Christie Kearney, PolyMet environmental site director.
If visual and audio coverage is allowed, the court should "severely restrict" it, lawyers for PolyMet said in an objection filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court.
"Limiting the coverage in this manner will decrease the likelihood that any party could be prejudiced by the media coverage of the hearing, and increase the likelihood that the hearing is not derailed by grandstanding and attempts to create viral media moments."
The Star Tribune will challenge PolyMet's petition, Senior Managing Editor Suki Dardarian said Wednesday.
"Because so much concern has been expressed about the way decisions were made in this high-profile case, it seems clear that more transparency now will serve the public interest," Dardarian said. "I am befuddled by the company's argument that recordings could lead to inaccurate coverage. Our experience is that recorded coverage actually helps us more accurately convey the evidence and arguments being presented and discussed in court."
Minnesota court rules grant several exceptions to the general ban on cameras and recorders in courtrooms, one of which says the judge can allow exceptions "for the presentation of evidence, for the perpetuation of a record or for other purposes of judicial administration in civil proceedings."
