(1)  The proceedings of the Commission shall be conducted in public unless, at any stage of the proceedings, the Commission, of its own motion or on the application of any of the parties, directs that the proceedings be conducted in private.

(2)  Where the Commission directs that any proceedings shall be conducted in private, all persons (other than the parties, their representatives, any interveners, the officers of the Commission, and any witness under examination) shall withdraw.