The New England First Amendment Coalition joined open government advocates throughout the country to celebrate the 14th annual Sunshine Week. Sunshine Week, from March 11-17, is a national campaign to promote dialogue about the importance of transparency and freedom of information. Participants included news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the public’s right to information about jurors in federal courts. “Public access to juror information is a critical part of an open and transparent criminal justice system,” argued NEFAC in the […]
Boston Globe’s Todd Wallack, Hyde Square Task Force Also Honored During Coalition’s Annual New England First Amendment Awards FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Jane Mayer, staff writer for The New Yorker, accepted the New England First Amendment Coalition‘s Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award on Feb. 23, emphasizing the need to defend journalists from efforts to discredit […]
To Maine Supreme Judicial Court Re: Task Force on Transparency and Privacy in Court Records (Dec. 15, 2017) NEFAC is concerned with recommendations that, if adopted, would limit online public access to judicial documents. Providing online access to only attorneys and litigants, as is being recommended, undermines the ability of all Maine residents to learn […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce the launch of its Featured Speaker Program, an educational initiative that will bring First Amendment and journalism experts to the region’s college campuses and high school classrooms. The announcement follows several recent surveys that show a diminishing understanding […]
Nominations Must Be Received By Jan. 15; Journalists, Citizen Watchdogs Encouraged to Apply FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is seeking nominees for its Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information and Antonia Orfield Citizenship awards. The deadline for both is January 15. Submission forms and requirements for both awards are linked below and can […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce the election of Karen Bordeleau, former executive editor of The Providence Journal, as its new president. Bordeleau assumed the position on Jan. 1 and succeeds Tom Fiedler, dean of Boston University’s College of Communications, who will continue to serve on […]
Judge: Mug Shots, Arrest Reports of Officials are Public in Mass. | The Boston Globe 12.8.17 “We need to know when police are breaking laws instead of enforcing them,” said Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, an advocate for greater access to public records. “It’s a matter of public trust. Mugshots […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is co-sponsoring a panel discussion on free speech, exploring First Amendment principles and how constitutional freedoms can be protected. The program is at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 at Kellogg-Hubbard Library, located at 135 Main Street in Montpelier, Vt. The event is […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Jane Mayer, an investigative journalist at The New Yorker who began her career in Vermont, will receive the New England First Amendment Coalition‘s 2018 Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award. The award is given each year to an individual who has promoted, defended or advocated for the First Amendment throughout […]