FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is seeking nominations for its 2018 Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award. The award is given to an individual from one of the six New England states who has fought for information crucial to the public’s understanding of its community or what its government is doing […]
R.I. State Police Continue to Withhold Information FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition praises the Providence Police Department for promptly releasing body camera footage showing the recent fatal shooting of a Rhode Island man as he rammed his pickup truck into other vehicles on Interstate 95. The coalition, however, criticizes the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is seeking nominations for its 2018 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. The FOI Award is given each year to a New England journalist or team of journalists for a body of work from the previous calendar year that protects or advances the public’s right […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org A coalition of First Amendment advocates today demanded increased press access to public demonstrations on the Boston Common and asked city officials to revise policies that excluded journalists from a controversial rally in August. With another rally scheduled on Nov. 18, the groups encouraged city officials to make “significant […]
NEFAC, Media Groups Filed Amicus Brief Arguing for Transparency FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The Vermont Supreme Court ruled today that access to public records on private email accounts is required under the state’s law, calling such access “crucial to holding government actors accountable for their actions.” The New England First Amendment Coalition praised […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition urged officials in Biddeford, Maine, today to rescind or change a new ordinance that would restrict the delivery of unsolicited newspapers to residences, as well as limit the distribution of print materials in public spaces. “Our chief concern is that the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition called for the immediate release of civil court documents in the Ninth Circuit today, saying such access is constitutionally required and beneficial to the public. “The press and the public have a right to learn about matters consuming judicial resources […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently criticized aspects of a plan to implement an online court case management system in Maine, saying proposed policies do “little for the public” and unnecessarily limit access to judicial records. The draft policies are part of a $15 million effort by the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce the addition of Nashwa Gewaily who will serve as the coalition’s media and First Amendment attorney. Gewaily, based in Boston, will provide NEFAC legal counsel, produce amicus briefs and conduct legislative advocacy across the six New […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently argued against indiscriminately sealing and redacting court filings, saying the practice undermines the public’s right to know. “[A]ccess to judicial documents is essential to the fostering of a well-informed citizenry and the integrity of our judicial system,” wrote NEFAC and other […]