Silicon Valley Nordic Beat: Weekly Buzz & Insights
November 8, 2024
Editors Column: Robot Revolution & Media Blackout
This week, many are reflecting on what it means to live in a democratic society, a concept intrinsically tied to transparency—not only in government but also in corporate life.
As a journalist covering corporations and emerging ventures, I’ve observed a concerning trend: Companies, especially in the tech industry, are becoming increasingly closed to the media. Today, asking questions to major tech companies is nearly impossible. Media representatives act as gatekeepers, blocking every attempt to seek information about what’s happening behind closed doors on their giant campuses in Silicon Valley. This secrecy is not just a minor inconvenience; it erodes the foundation of trust between these corporations and the public.
Transparency in corporate life is essential because these companies shape our daily lives, influence policies, and drive social change. Without openness, the public cannot understand the values or decisions guiding these entities having such an outsized impact. In recent years, however, transparency has become a casualty in the corporate world’s rush to control narratives and protect proprietary information. The absence of clear contact points exemplifies this trend—most companies no longer provide phone numbers or direct email addresses for media inquiries, leaving only a generic info email that often feels like a black hole.
For the last two weeks, I’ve been attempting to arrange interviews with two of Silicon Valley’s most talked-about humanoid robotics startups, one of them Norwegian. I’ve emailed, searched for phone numbers, sent LinkedIn messages, and even delivered a written request directly to their Sunnyvale office. One company remains unresponsive; the other consistently declines.
It also doesn’t seem to matter whether a company is publicly listed; even for those accountable to shareholders, transparency is often sacrificed.
This trend toward secrecy is troubling. Transparency is a cornerstone of democracy and corporate accountability. As companies grow, their impact on society increases, and so does the need for them to be open to scrutiny. The tech industry, perhaps more than any other, should be committed to transparency, as its innovations are shaping our lives on a global scale.
Maybe it’s time for a new media transparency label—much like sustainability certifications—to let the public know which companies are open, accessible, and accountable.
