FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and a group of press advocates are calling for federal officials to be held personally liable for damages when they retaliate against those exercising constitutional rights such as newsgathering. “When retaliation chills reporting. . . the impact on First […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently testified in support of a Rhode Island bill that would make police internal affairs reports public regardless of how the investigation was initiated. Due to a 2017 decision by the Office of the Attorney General, complaints against law […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently testified against a New Hampshire bill that would make it easier for government to keep meeting minutes secret. Under state law, government bodies are allowed to meet in non-public sessions so long as minutes and decisions are publicly […]
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 […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition warned Maine legislators today that a proposal to create a state constitutional right to privacy could infringe on First Amendment rights and the Freedom of Access Act. “We understand the need for personal privacy, particularly from government intrusion, but we […]
NEFAC’s Introductory Classes on Public Records Continue with FOI Lessons from Local Experts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its introductory series on public record laws with new classes on the appeal process for individual states and the federal Freedom of Information Act. […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and a group of press organizations continued their fight against a prior restraint imposed on The New York Times by submitting a second amicus brief calling for an immediate end to the unconstitutional restriction on newsgathering. “Prior restraints against […]
Presence in Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts Boosted as Journalists Join Coalition Leadership FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce several additions to its Board of Directors: Julia Bergman at Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Jeff Cohen at Connecticut Public Radio, Shirley Leung at […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently joined several press advocates to denounce a federal pre-publication review system that erodes the constitutional rights of publishers. “Black-letter law holds that prior restraints on speech and publication are the most serious and the least tolerable infringement on […]
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 […]