Please note: The deadline for applications has been extended to March 1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Melanie Plenda | melanie.plenda@collaborativenh.org The decline in local news coverage has been a cause for concern across the country, with significant consequences for communities. According to a report by the Columbia Journalism Review, fewer newspaper newsroom employees since 2004 […]

Register Now for New Round of FOI Lessons The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on how to obtain police misconduct records. The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s growing library of public records classes which can be viewed here. They will be taught […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association today outlined arguments for more transparency in a high-profile commercial sex ring case that could ultimately be heard in secret. The case involves 28 individuals accused of paying for sex and who have been […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Update (Jan. 26, 2024): Thomas Kerr, the state’s Right to Know Ombudsman, responded to NEFAC’s concerns.  The New England First Amendment Coalition requested changes today to policies proposed by the New Hampshire Right to Know Ombudsman. Thomas Kerr, who serves as the state’s first ombudsman, […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce its leadership for 2024, a group of more than four dozen directors and advisors who represent many of the most prestigious newsrooms and law firms in the region. Affiliations for those listed below is provided […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Note: NEFAC and other advocates followed up with the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 18 to express concerns about an amendment proposed for HB 1002.  The New England First Amendment Coalition called on New Hampshire legislators today to reject a proposal that could […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and several New Hampshire open government advocates are calling for mandatory fee shifting in the state’s public records law. HB307 would require government bodies to bear the expense of a record requester’s successful lawsuit. Currently under the law, the […]

Update (Jan. 22, 2024): The Executive Office of the Trial Court responds to NEFAC’s letter. In short, Chief Justice Brieger agrees with the coalition’s position and writes that the issue should be resolved by March. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition called on the Massachusetts […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2020 a monthly educational series featuring short, practical lessons on journalism and the First Amendment. The goal of the program — called “30 Minute Skills” — is to provide reporters and other citizens knowledge they can use immediately in […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition joined several civil rights advocates today to help prevent police secrecy in a Massachusetts public records case. The case — Mack v. Office of the District Attorney of the Bristol District — involves an investigation into a fatal shooting by […]