For 11 years, our broad-based, non-profit coalition has been the leading regional voice for protecting press freedoms and the public’s right to know about its government. NEFAC has advocated relentlessly for your First Amendment rights and we’ve accomplished a lot. We provided free investigative journalism training to more than 175 reporters and editors from more than 90 news organizations. […]
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 […]
Transcript Audio About NEFAC’s First Amendment Awards Luncheon February 23, 2018 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel 606 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts Parking Options Schedule 12:30 p.m. Luncheon Begins 12:40 p.m. Welcoming Remarks Thomas Fiedler, former NEFAC president and dean of the Boston University College of Communication Introduction of Emcee 12:45 p.m. […]
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 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 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 […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce its incoming class of fellows for the 2017 New England First Amendment Institute. “We have an incredibly talented group of fellows this year,” said Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director. “We’re very excited to begin the institute next month and look […]
Journalists from a variety of media and all six New England states will gather Oct. 29-31 at Northeastern University’s Curry Student Center in Boston to learn the latest investigative and database reporting techniques and public records access skills. The fellows chosen for this seventh annual New England First Amendment Institute reflect today’s diverse news media and […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently called for rigorous application of Fourth Amendment protections when the government seeks historical cell site location information, arguing that such data “can provide an intimate picture of an individual’s political, professional, and religious association” and “reveal details about the […]