Two weeks ago, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she was reviewing her office’s long-standing policy of releasing drivers’ records on request, but we have yet to see what changes she has in mind. The public deserves to know how she intends to handle the information that belongs to the public.

Benson caused a media uproar April 15 with an afternoon press release announcing her office would no longer release the vehicle information and driving records of “victims of violence,” including those of Patrick Lyoya, the 26-year-old Black man killed by a Grand Rapids police officer April 4.

This statement from Benson’s office maintained it wouldn’t release the information because it could be used in a manner “that wrongly suggests he is culpable for being shot in the back of the head.”

As we’ve noted previously, this was not Benson’s decision to make. Rather, it’s the government’s duty to provide the public with the facts and to allow citizens to make up their own minds.

Hours after Benson’s initial press release, her office issued another one, following intense pushback from media across the state.

Benson’s department changed course, saying it would release Lyoya’s records (even though that didn’t happen right away) but was still reviewing the policy.

“The department is currently reviewing the manner in which it provides the driver record of any Michigan resident to third parties to ensure we balance the critical importance of government transparency and access to information with the need to protect the privacy of Michiganders,” the second statement said. “While we conduct this review there will be no changes to our current policy, nor will there be any changes to media or public access to such data.”

Lisa McGraw, public affairs manager with the Michigan Press Association, says the MPA, along with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Television Digital News Association, sent a letter to Benson requesting a meeting about policy changes.

“Every day, journalists serve the people of Michigan by seeking information, then making responsible, ethical decisions about news coverage,” the letter states. “Conversely, a state agency denying access to information sets a dangerous precedent. Openness and transparency are core principles of government at the local, state, and federal level and preventing them hinders accountability and citizen engagement.”

The Secretary of State’s office responded Monday, a week after the letter was sent. Benson is planning to meet with members of the media May 16.

McGraw says the original change was “horrifying,” adding that Benson must avoid moving to a system of releasing information on a case-by-case basis. This could lead to government officials withholding data from reporters or outlets they don’t like — or withholding information if they don’t like where the facts are leading, as was the case with Lyoya’s records.

While it’s positive that Benson has agreed to meet with the media groups, she should also drop her review of the records policy and keep the transparent system already in place.

— Detroit News