The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor Katherine Revello at the Connecticut Inside Investigator for her open government reporting and accountability journalism.
Revello is a frequent challenger of improper state Freedom of Information Act requests, which she is often able to resolve without legal proceedings.
Responding to continued pushback, however, she has pursued multiple appeals to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission. In one appeal, she challenged the incomplete record production of public universities which took more than two years to respond to her requests. Her appeal — one of several — helped clarify the interplay of federal and state transparency laws.
Revello recently lead an investigation titled “Religion and Redactions,” which examined transparency in Connecticut’s interstate prisoner compact participation. She also launched last year a biweekly series for Connecticut Inside Investigator. Transparency Update provides a behind-the-curtain look at how her newsroom is working to overcome barriers to transparency and potential violations of First Amendment rights.
NEFAC will recognize Revello for her contributions to open government at a private ceremony later this month. The coalition will also present its Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award, Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award and Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award during the program.
Supporters of NEFAC and the 15th annual New England First Amendment Awards include Boston University, The Boston Globe, Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Emerson College, Northeastern University, Morgan Lewis, The Day, and The University of Rhode Island.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
NEFAC appreciates the support of all its donors and contributors. In particular, we would like to recognize the Estate of Gloria L. Negri, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the following Leadership Circle donors: Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists and WCVB-Boston.