New media policy in Warren restricts who can speak to press

Warren Mayor Lori Stone has made transparency and unity goals of her administration, but she's limiting who can and can't talk to the media under a new policy and those who violate it could face disciplinary action or even termination.

Under a policy Stone approved earlier this spring, city employees are prohibited from talking directly to the media, aside from a few authorized spokespersons. The Detroit News had to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to receive the policy.

Stone on Thursday said the policy, which also encompasses topics such as emergencies and news conferences, is meant to ensure that the city is releasing accurate information in a timely manner.

"When you have 900 employees, almost 30 departments, if someone's getting out ahead of information, then you might have incorrect or inaccurate information," she said.

But Warren City Council Secretary Mindy Moore thinks the policy is "a little generalized and vague."

"I'm a proponent of getting as much information out to the public as possible," she said, "and I think the media is the most expedient way to do that."

The city's acting human resources director emailed city department heads and other individuals copies of the media policy on March 4. She also said there would also be a paper copy of the policy in their mailboxes that day. She noted that all current and new employees would need to sign it.

The policy said that all city employees, except for a few authorized spokespersons, must direct all media inquiries to their department head immediately. The head must then inform both the mayor and the communications director, Clarissa Cayton, within 30 minutes of when the request was received.

"Anyone who violates this Media Policy may face disciplinary action up to and including termination of his or her employment or appointment for just cause with the City," the end of the policy states.

More on the policy

The policy designates four authorized spokespersons; they include Cayton, the police commissioner, fire commissioner and chief of staff. With the prior approval of the chief of staff, these spokespeople may from time to time designate other individuals to speak on behalf of the city, according to the document.

The policy says that when an initial statement to the media is required in response to an emergency or crisis event, the statement will be provided by the fire commissioner, the police commissioner or a designated on-site spokesperson.

The policy touches on a variety of other topics, including media releases. They are "to be prepared by the City's Communications Department with consultation from the appropriate city personnel or others with specialized expertise on the topic." The police department, fire department, clerk's office, treasurer's office, library system and city council department are responsible for writing their own releases, though.

Mayor explains the policy

During her campaign, Stone pledge to make transparency a goal. And as recently as last week, when issuing a press release about her proposed 2024-2025 budget, her office said it would focus on many new and improved initiatives that align with the mayor’s commitment "to accountability and transparency."

Stone said she believes the foundation of Warren's media policy came from the city of Atlanta. She noted that Detroit and Grand Rapids have media policies as well.

She said that for some members of the media, the policy is a departure from the role she had in the state Legislature. There, she was just one elected representative, while now, she represents an organization.

Stone said that if she doesn't touch base with the department head on a specific topic, she "might be speaking on something that I don't have that full breath of information on."

Moore's concerns

Still, Moore, the council secretary, said the city's bargaining units have "the right to speak out" on behalf of their members. She also said there are protections for whistleblowers.

"I think there have to be exceptions for people that want to speak to the public about things that could be a threat to the health, safety and welfare of employees or residents," she said, "and to put a gag on that, I think, is a little bothersome to me."

Stone said city unions weighed in on the policy.

"We shared this with unions," she said, "and we've had the support of unions."

Moore noted that a designated spokesperson may not always have all of the information. They then will have to do research to answer the journalist's questions, which will take time.

asnabes@detroitnews.com