News

NEFAC, Media Groups Urge U.S. Attorney General to Protect First Amendment Rights of Journalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition called on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to consider the rights of journalists while investigating police treatment of citizens during recent protests in Louisville and Minneapolis. “This is an opportunity for the attorney general to protect the free press […]

NEFAC: Maine Bill Mandating News Coverage is Unconstitutional and Unnecessary

Coalition Testifies Against LD 923, Explains First Amendment Protections for Freedom of the Press FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition testified today against a Maine bill that would require news organizations to publish updates to certain stories and limit the use of mugshots in reporting. […]

NEFAC to Recognize Keene State Professor, Students for Public Records Advocacy

Classroom Project Led to Right-to-Know Lawsuit and Successful Case Before N.H. Supreme Court FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org New England First Amendment Coalition will recognize Keene State College Professor Marianne Salcetti and her former journalism students for their successful public records case before the New Hampshire Supreme Court last year. […]

Massachusetts Whistleblower to Receive NEFAC’s Orfield Citizenship Award

Coalition to Recognize Jeanne Kempthorne for Defending Right to Know About Government FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor Jeanne Kempthorne, former assistant district attorney in Berkshire County (Mass.), with its 2021 Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award. The Citizenship Award is given to an individual […]

NEFAC, Media Groups Argue for Access to Grand Jury Documents About Pentagon Papers

Coalition Joins Amicus Brief Explaining Historical Significance of Records FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and media groups across the country today argued for access to the records of Boston grand juries charged with investigating the disclosure of the Pentagon Papers nearly 50 years ago. […]

30 Minute Skills: Protecting Women Journalists

Registration Now Open FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently launched 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 […]

Bangor Daily News to Receive NEFAC’s Annual Michael Donoghue FOI Award

Coalition to Recognize ‘Lawmen Off Limits’ Series at April 21 New England First Amendment Awards FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor the Bangor Daily News with its 2021 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. The FOI Award is given each year to a […]

Reconsidering Newsworthiness: Balancing the Reputational Harm Caused By Crime Coverage

NEFAC to Lead Conversation on Initiatives to Better Balance News and Privacy Interests FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will lead a conversation on how local newsrooms are reevaluating the newsworthiness of old stories in response to concerns about individual privacy interests. The discussion is […]

NEFAC: Vt. Public Records Act Covers Private Companies Providing Essential Gov’t Services

Coalition and Fellow Amici Argue for Broad Interpretation of Law, More Transparency FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently argued to the Vermont Supreme Court that private entities performing essential government services are subject to the state’s public records law. Courts throughout the country apply […]

NEFAC Executive Director to Present First Amendment 101 to Boston Bar Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, will present to the Boston Bar Association today as part of its Friday Fundamentals program. Silverman will provide a lecture on First Amendment law, giving an overview of how it works and its scope […]