Search Results For: "rhode island"

Accessing Show Cause Hearings if Requesting Pro Se

FOI Guide Home Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont | Federal FOIA The following step-by-step guide can be used to request access to secret show cause hearings in Massachusetts if requesting pro se (without legal representation). Many thanks to journalist Anastasia Lennon of the New Bedford Light for providing […]

Massachusetts ‘Show Cause’ Hearings

FOI Guide Home Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont | Federal FOIA What is a ‘Show Cause’ Hearing? Massachusetts enacted clerk-magistrate hearings — also called “show cause” hearings — in 1943 “for the protection and benefit” of the accused person. Victory Distribs. v. Ayer Div. of the Dist. Court […]

NEFAC, Mass. Advocates Disappointed that Permanent Reform of Open Meeting Law Delayed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The Massachusetts legislature has extended the option for public bodies subject to the Open Meeting Law to continue conducting meetings virtually, with remote access for members of the public. The option to hold virtual public meetings was set to expire statewide today. Advocates — including […]

NEFAC, Mass. Advocates Support Remote Access Legislation and Suggest Additional Transparency Safeguards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition joined other Massachusetts advocates today to support legislation making permanent both in-person and remote access to government meetings. H.4991 would require public bodies subject to the Open Meeting Law to allow members of the public to attend in person […]

New Hampshire Open Meetings: Video Tutorials

FOI Guide Home Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont | Federal FOIA Introduction to Open Meeting Law Taught by NEFAC’s Gregory V. Sullivan, counsel to Union Leader Corp., this is the first of several lessons on the state’s Open Meeting Law. How Newsrooms Respond to Executive Session Secrecy Jonathan Van […]

Connecticut Open Meetings: Video Tutorials

FOI Guide Home Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont | Federal FOIA Introduction to Open Meeting Law Taught by NEFAC’s Dan Barrett, the ACLU of Connecticut’s legal director, this is the first of several lessons on the state’s Open Meeting Law. How Newsrooms Respond to Executive Session Secrecy Len Besthoff […]

NEFAC Joins Call for More Transparency in Federal Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently called on the federal government to make specific changes that would increase transparency and protect the public’s right to know. In a June 17 letter drafted by Demand Progress, NEFAC and other advocates outlined three priorities the U.S. […]

NEFAC to Participate in New Hampshire Humanities Social Media and Free Speech Program

June 27 | 5:30 p.m. ET Feathered Friend Brewing 231 South Main Street, Concord, N.H. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Do social media companies unfairly censor speech, or allow misinformation to flourish? This spring, Texas passed a law preventing companies like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok from discriminating against online […]

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 […]