News

NEFAC, Open Government Groups Caution Against Per Se Exemptions of Personal Data from Public Records

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and government transparency groups across the country raised concerns today over efforts to redact certain personal information from state public records. A national organization called the Uniform Law Commission is in the process of developing model legislation that all […]

NEFAC Launches New Mentorship Program to Help Journalists in Variety of Professional Areas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition launched today a new mentorship program for journalists working in the region. The program — NEFAC Mentors — helps reporters, editors and producers looking for guidance in a variety of professional areas by matching them with a veteran journalist […]

Introduction to New England Open Meeting Laws

Register Now for New Round of Freedom of Information Lessons with Local Attorneys FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its series on freedom of information laws with new classes on state open meeting statutes. The classes will feature a local attorney who will […]

30 Minute Skills: How to Balance News Reporting with Privacy Interests

The New England First Amendment Coalition launched last year 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 newsgathering, data collection, storytelling and other areas of journalism […]

NEFAC Summer Legal Fellows, Intern to Support First Amendment Advocacy and Programming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce two law school fellows and an undergraduate intern who will be helping the organization throughout the summer. Edward Samuels and Lucas Uhl are both rising second-year students at Boston College Law School. Katherine Hapgood is […]

NEFAC, Vermont Journalism Groups Call for Better Press Access to Courts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and Vermont journalism organizations expressed concern today about courts in the state limiting press access to in-person proceedings, a situation particularly problematic for broadcast newsrooms. In a June 3 letter to Vermont Judiciary officials, the groups described at least […]

NEFAC Emphasizes Need for Transparency in Remarks at Annual Rhode Island Open Government Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition helped commence the 24th annual Open Government Summit in Rhode Island today, emphasizing the need for transparency within state and local government. The summit — hosted by the Office of the Attorney General and publicly live-streamed — features presentations […]

NEFAC Teaches First Amendment and FOI Law to Central and South American Diplomats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently presented to a delegation of Central and South American public officials 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 […]

Applications for 12th Annual New England First Amendment Institute Now Available

Exclusive Investigative Reporting Program at Northeastern University to Be Offered to 25 Journalists; Deadline August 12 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will host its 12th annual New England First Amendment Institute from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25 at Northeastern University. The previous two institutes […]

NEFAC Provides Expert Speakers for University of Massachusetts Journalism Workshops

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is providing workshop instructors to the University of Massachusetts Amherst as part of the group’s First Amendment and the Free Press program. NEFAC launched the program in 2018 to help educate the public about the role journalism plays in […]