Rupert Murdoch’s upcoming probate hearings in Reno, Nevada, will be conducted behind closed doors, according to a recommendation issued by a probate commissioner.
This decision comes as a dispute within the Murdoch family over the future control of their media empire heads to trial on Monday.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Murdoch’s desire to alter his family’s trust to appoint his son Lachlan Murdoch as the sole controller of the family’s extensive media and business interests. This proposed change has sparked a contentious legal battle, with Murdoch’s three other older children—James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—opposing the amendment.
The conflict is partly fueled by James Murdoch’s reported intention to sell Fox News, a key asset of the trust, and the broader media holdings controlled by the Murdoch family.
Nevada’s Second Judicial District Court had previously issued an order in January to seal court records and close the hearings. The decision was made to protect “confidential personal, financial, and business information” related to the trust and its beneficiaries, as outlined in court filings. Probate Commissioner Edmund Gorman Jr. cited the need to safeguard privacy and ensure the security of the parties involved, many of whom are high-profile figures under intense media scrutiny.
A coalition of six news organizations, including The New York Times and Reuters, has filed a motion seeking to open the hearings to the public. They argue that the extensive sealing of the case is unconstitutional and inhibits the public’s right to access information about the administration of the trust.
Despite these arguments, Commissioner Gorman’s recommendation emphasizes that the protection of privacy interests takes precedence over the public’s right to access the proceedings. He also noted that the safety of the parties involved, given their high-profile status, justified the level of privacy imposed.
While the court has allowed a limited number of documents to be unsealed, most case details remain confidential. The Murdoch family’s choice of Nevada for these proceedings is notable, as the state’s legal framework offers one of the highest levels of privacy in such cases.
