DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NEWS RELEASE

The New Mexico Department of Justice has opposed Meta’s request that the court limit public access to its upcoming trial with the State of New Mexico. Meta is seeking to block any livestreaming, broadcasting, or recording of the proceedings. Under Meta’s proposal, the public and press would be barred from seeing or hearing the trial except in person, which includes prohibitions on sharing video or audio, and limits public access largely to note-taking and still photographs.  

While claiming to support transparency, Meta is asking the court to ensure the trial unfolds largely out of public view—no live video, no audio recordings, no broad public access—despite the significant public interest in allegations of platform safety issues related to child sexual exploitation, teen mental health and online safety.  

The State of New Mexico has opposed Meta’s attempt to curb access to the trial and believes the public deserves full visibility into these proceedings. In a recent court filing, the New Mexico Department of Justice argued, “Consistent with the spirit of New Mexico law and the transparency protections it provides, the trial in this case should take place in a public forum, with access for members of the media and the public who wish to cover it or observe the proceedings . . . the Court should not restrict the media and public’s right to attend the trial and even, if available, observe the proceedings through video or audio links.”

Jury selection for the trial is currently scheduled for February 2, 2026, and open arguments are scheduled to begin on February 9, 2026. More information regarding the lawsuit, including a copy of the original complaint, can be found HERE.