FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is seeking nominations for its 2024 Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award. The Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award is given to an individual from one of the six New England states who has fought for information crucial to the public’s understanding of […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is seeking nominations for its 2024 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. The FOI Award is given each year to a New England journalist or team of journalists for a body of work from the previous calendar year that […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition joined a group of New Hampshire open government advocates to support the most recent proposal to change the state’s public records fee structure. HB 1002 originally allowed agencies to charge record requesters up to $25 an hour for any […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org With virtual access to public meetings set to end a year from today, the New England First Amendment Coalition and a group of Massachusetts disability rights, free press, open government, and other advocates renewed their call for permanent reforms to guarantee hybrid access to open […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition testified today in support of a Rhode Island bill that would strengthen the state’s public records law by making long-overdue common sense improvements. “The Access to Public Records Act has not been significantly reformed in more than a decade,” […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and several Massachusetts open government groups recently called on Worcester city officials to continue the Open Checkbook program, an online portal showing municipal expenditures. The city recently announced that it will discontinue the service. “Fiscal transparency is a hallmark […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will present to a delegation of Indo-Pacific diplomats today as part of a U.S. Department of State-funded civics program. The State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program supports short-term visits to the United States for foreign leaders to learn about […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The goal of Sunshine Week — March 10-16 this year with related events occurring throughout the month — is to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The Massachusetts Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government is scheduled to hold a public hearing today on parts of Governor Maura Healey’s Municipal Empowerment Act S.2571. A coalition of democracy, disability access, and open government advocates — including the New England First Amendment Coalition — […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Public records are one of the key tools journalists use to shed light on state and local government in Rhode Island. Hear from working journalists who use Rhode Island’s public records law daily to tell important stories and hold our government accountable. Learn the good […]