Oklahoma withdraws restrictive court access rules

In a move that shows measured thought, the Oklahoma Supreme Court announced it would withdraw controversial rules that would have limited public access to online court records and instead rethink its approach in order to balance privacy interests with the public’s right to access court records.

First Amendment advocates strongly criticized the rules when they were announced March 11 and have lauded the court’s move to rescind them.

It is a good sign when a public body can see the error in cutting off access to public information and work to rectify the situation. Oklahoma — you’re OK.