FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | justin@nefac.org | 774.244.2365 The New England First Amendment Coalition asked Connecticut legislators last week to support the original version of House Bill 6750, legislation that would require transparency within the state’s criminal justice system and would help keep government accountable and communities informed. The bill was recently amended to minimize the […]

By Mitchell Pearlman I have been following closely the progress — or perhaps more accurately, the lack of progress — of HB 6750, An Act Expanding the Requirement for Disclosure of Arrest Records during a Pending Prosecution under the Freedom of Information Act. I am not exaggerating one iota when I say that failure to […]

Dear Friend of the First Amendment, In February, we honored retired federal judge Nancy Gertner with our annual Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award. Gertner spoke about the need for transparency within government and reminded those at our awards luncheon that “it is critical that we do something.” It is critical that we do something. Throughout […]

By Mitchell Pearlman Last year, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned some 20 years of Freedom of Information law when it concluded that police departments need only disclose a bare minimum of arrest information (name, address, date, time and charges) pending prosecution. This ruling applies even if other arrest information is not exempt from public disclosure. The Supreme […]

By James H. Smith Some key Connecticut legislators are telling us to compromise on how much the people can know about crime and punishment, how much we can know about how the police are protecting the public from alleged criminals. I’m not sure how to compromise on the right of the people to know what […]

The following blog post is one of seven that the New England First Amendment Coalition will publish during Sunshine Week, highlighting the need for government transparency and addressing freedom of information concerns throughout the New England states. When posted, these articles can be read here. By James H. Smith The sun isn’t shining brightly on law […]

The New England First Amendment Coalition‘s James H. Smith provided testimony this week to the Connecticut General Assembly Government, Administration and Elections Committee, which is considering three bills of First Amendment and right-to-know interest. Smith joined NEFAC’s Board of Directors last year and is currently the president of the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information. He […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Marty Kaiser, editor and senior vice president of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, will provide the keynote address at this year’s New England First Amendment Institute. The New England First Amendment Coalition provides the three-day intensive training course on freedom of information laws and investigative techniques each year to 25 of the […]