NEFAC Leads First Amendment Discussion with Middle Eastern and African Delegation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org

The New England First Amendment Coalition continued its international outreach today with a civics and legal program for Middle Eastern and African leaders.

The U.S. State Department sponsors short-term visits to the United States for foreign officials, executives and journalists to learn about a variety of topics, including the First Amendment.

Since 2011, NEFAC has partnered with WorldBoston, a local non-profit organization, to coordinate presentations and educational programming during those visits.

NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan met on May 9 with a delegation from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, Yemen. Sullivan discussed free speech and open government in the United States.

“It’s a privilege to meet these diplomats and journalists to share with them how the First Amendment works in this country,” 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 and better appreciate the freedoms that our First Amendment guarantees.”

NEFAC has led nine programs through WorldBoston, focusing on topics such as open government, free speech, misinformation and the growth of non-profit newsrooms. Countries represented at these programs include:

NEFAC is the region’s leading advocate for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know about government. Learn more about the coalition’s First Amendment and the Free Press speaker program and request a presentation for your classroom or organization.

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NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.

Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.

NEFAC is supported by the Estate of Gloria Negri. Additional funding is provided by Leadership Circle donors including the Rhode Island Foundation, The Boston Globe, Paul and Ann Sagan, and the Robertson Foundation. Major Supporters of NEFAC’s work are Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, Connecticut Public, WCVB-Boston and WBUR-Boston.