NEW YORK (AP) — The judge overseeing the Martha Stewart trial granted a request by the media Thursday to release names of jurors in the case when they deliver their verdict.

A federal appeals court had ruled U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum was wrong to bar reporters and the public from watching jury selection last month.

Cedarbaum told media lawyers Thursday that the jurors' names will be read in court on the day of the verdict.

A letter to the judge from 17 media outlets, including The Associated Press, argued that jurors' names are routinely released after trials and that interviews of former jurors benefit the judicial system.

"They promote informed discussion of the jury system, generate public confidence that deliberations are conducted fairly, and enhance performance by jurors," the six-page letter said.

In other high-profile trials, reporters have been allowed to question jurors at the courthouse after the verdict, the letter said.

The 17 media groups also include the major television networks and cable-news channels, parent companies of New York newspapers, and other wire services.

Jurors are expected to begin their deliberations Wednesday in the trial of Stewart and stockbroker Peter Bacanovic, who are accused of conspiring to lie about why the homemaking maven sold 3,928 shares of ImClone Systems stock in 2001.

The trial was in recess Thursday. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

The judge is considering defense motions urging her to throw out some or all of the counts, and plans to hear additional arguments at a closed meeting Friday. Media organizations also sought access to that conference, but Cedarbaum ruled it would remain closed and a transcript made available.