Introduction to the Tensions Between Silicon Valley and the Press
Long-simmering tension between Silicon Valley and the press that covers it has come to the surface during the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust trial against Meta. This tension has been building for years, with tech giants like Meta growing increasingly frustrated with critical coverage of their businesses.
The FTC’s Antitrust Trial Against Meta
During a heated cross-examination of the FTC’s key economic expert, Scott Hemphill, Meta’s lead attorney, Mark Hansen, noted that Hemphill had previously joined forces with Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and former Biden official Tim Wu to pitch regulators on an antitrust probe of the company. This pitch deck, which was shown in court, included references to public recognition of Meta’s aggressive acquisition strategy from two prominent reporters: Kara Swisher and Om Malik.
Attacking the Credibility of Reporters
In an attempt to undercut Hemphill’s credibility, Hansen targeted Swisher and Malik, calling Malik a “failed blogger” with an axe to grind against Meta. He also suggested that Swisher was biased against the company, referencing a headline where she called Mark Zuckerberg a “small little creature with a shriveled soul.” This exchange highlights the deep-seated tensions between Meta and the press, with the company seeking to discredit reporters who have criticized its practices.
Resurfacing Old Tensions
The 2019 pitch deck shown in court also cited a New York Post story to support the idea that Facebook should be investigated as a monopoly. Meta’s Hansen asked if Hemphill agreed that “The New York Post is a scandal sheet,” to which he replied that he didn’t have a view on the matter. This exchange resurfaced years-old tensions between the press and tech titans, who have grown increasingly frustrated with critical coverage of their businesses.
A History of Criticism
Reporters like Malik and Swisher have indeed been critical of Meta and its executives. In 2016, Malik critiqued Facebook’s intentions for offering free access to its apps and others in India, after board member Marc Andreesseen blamed local resistance to the program on “anti-colonialism” in a later-deleted tweet. This criticism is just one example of the many times that reporters have held Meta accountable for its actions.
Meta’s Finger-Pointing at the Media
Tuesday’s exchange was not the first time that Meta has pointed a finger at the media while at trial. When discussing major scandals like Cambridge Analytica from the witness stand, company leaders have chalked up downswings in user sentiment to negative media attention. The FTC has argued that this fact is a sign of monopoly power, as people can’t leave Facebook and Instagram without viable alternatives.
Conclusion
The tensions between Silicon Valley and the press are on full display in the FTC’s antitrust trial against Meta. The company’s attempts to discredit reporters and shift blame to the media are just the latest examples of a long-standing feud. As the trial continues, it will be interesting to see how the judge ultimately rules on the matter. One thing is certain, however: the relationship between tech giants and the press will continue to be a contentious one.
