NEFAC Impact Report | Our coalition made an impact throughout the region by protecting First Amendment freedoms and the public’s right to know about government. NEFAC’s commentary appeared in publications across the country and we led dozens of workshops and classes. We presented to diplomats and reporters from 14 different nations and our state-based advocacy teams met nearly 60 times to fight on your behalf.
Connecticut Resident Daniel Dunn to Receive NEFAC’s Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award | As a member of the Police Oversight Commission in Hamden, Conn., Dunn increased public access to police records. When Dunn discovered that some law enforcement records were illegally destroyed, he worked to synthesize important information using the remaining records and he successfully appealed a public records case against the town.
Maine Trust for Local News to Receive NEFAC’s 14th Annual Freedom of Information Award | Maine Trust for Local News — which includes publications such as the Sun Journal, Portland Press Herald and Kennebec Journal — fought relentlessly for information about the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston. Reporters faced enormous and consistent resistance by Maine State Police who attempted to block access to information about how they responded.
NEFAC to Honor Sarah-Ann Shaw, Pioneering Journalist and Community Advocate, with Annual First Amendment Award | “Sarah-Ann personified the First Amendment,” NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan said. “She was a pioneering journalist who inspired many younger media professionals in New England newsrooms. She worked throughout her life to tell stories that would otherwise go untold and to advocate relentlessly for those in her community.”
State Open Meeting Laws and Remote Access | The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on remote and hybrid access to government meetings. The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s growing library of open meeting law classes which can be viewed here. They will be taught by local experts who will provide an overview of their respective state’s law and what changes are being considered.
Maine Gov. Mills Administration Looks to Charge More Than $1,000 for Public Travel Records | Want to know where the governor is traveling and at what expense? It’s going to cost you. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spoke with WGME’s Dan Lampariello. “This information is of great public interest,” Silverman said. “It sheds a light on where the governor is going, how much money is being spent on these trips, whether these trips will even benefit the state of Maine.”
Access Rhode Island: Reconsider Bill That Would Keep Municipalities Where Judges Reside Secret | “Unfortunately,” explained Access/RI members, including NEFAC, “the list of exemptions to APRA’s promise of transparency continues to grow almost every year. We firmly believe that new exceptions should be added only for compelling reasons and when there are strong arguments for a necessity for secrecy. We do not believe they exist in this instance.”
30 Minute Skills: How to Develop a Beat | Whether you are expanding your existing coverage or starting from scratch, developing a new beat can be challenging. By viewing this class, you’ll learn (1) how to identify key sources on your new beat and develop relationships (2) how to find the authoritative voice on a complicated beat to get exclusives and drive coverage and (3) how to use social media to identify new stories and find sources within your beat.
Meet NEFAC’s Summer Legal Fellows and First Amendment Interns | Joining the coalition this summer are: Sophia Brown, a rising second-year law student at New England Law | Boston; Lindsey Vickers, a rising second-year law student at the University of Washington School of Law; Claire Kelley, a rising junior at Roger Williams University; and Catharine Li and Tania Sequeira, rising sophomores at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
NEFAC, R.I. Open Government Groups: LEOBOR Bills ‘Take a Step Backward’ in Transparency | “It is deeply troubling and sadly ironic that, as a result of this provision, a bill designed to promote greater police transparency does the opposite. Unlike LEOBOR, police body worn cameras are a fairly new feature of policing in Rhode Island. Prohibiting the release of a wide swath of video sets a troubling precedent and undermines the very purpose of having the cameras.”
NEFAC Leads First Amendment Discussion with Middle Eastern and African Delegation | “It’s a privilege to meet these diplomats and journalists to share with them how the First Amendment works in this country,” NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan said. “Freedom of speech and government transparency is being threatened around the world, including here at home. These programs are a great opportunity for us to learn from one another.”
NEFAC, R.I. Advocates: Guardrails Needed for Long Term Care Coordinating Council Meetings | The council develops state policy concerning all forms of long-term health care for the elderly and adults with chronic disabilities and illnesses. Legislation — recently passed by the House — would allow the council to meet exclusively online. The groups insisted on requirements for full public access to the council’s meetings and continued transparency.
NEFAC to Dartmouth College President: Protect Student Journalism, Ability to Cover Protests | The New England First Amendment Coalition is deeply concerned about reports of two Dartmouth College student journalists being arrested while covering a protest on their campus. The protest is one of many pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurring on college campuses throughout the country in response to the war in Gaza.
Rhode Island: Accessing Police Misconduct Records | Steven Brown at the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and Tim White at WPRI explain how police misconduct records can be obtained under the state’s Access to Public Records Act and through other sources. Learn more about Rhode Island’s public records law in our FOI Guide. Watch all our previous lessons on public records and federal FOIA, open meetings and court records.
Seeking FOI and Citizenship Award Nominations; Deadline May 15 | The Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award is given each year to a New England journalist or team of journalists for work that protects or advances the public’s right to know under federal or state law. The Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award is given to an individual who has fought for information crucial to the public’s understanding of its community or what its government is doing on its behalf.
30 Minute Skills: Climate Reporting | According to a recent article in Nieman Reports, “everyone is a climate reporter now.” As extreme weather becomes more common, climate-related issues are an increasingly important part of all news coverage. By viewing this lesson, you’ll learn (1) how to report climate change tie-ins across all beats (2) how to best communicate dry energy stories and (3) how to make climate connections clear in everyday weather stories.