By Edward Fitzpatrick | NEFAC and Roger Williams University Earlier this year, student journalists at a Kansas high school decided to write a profile about their newly hired principal. As they researched the principal’s background, they began unearthing questions about her educational credentials. For example, the young reporters found that she had received master’s and […]

  My name is Mike Donoghue. I worked at the Burlington Free Press for more than 40 years. I’m vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition.  When we talk about protecting the rights of the media, we’re really talking about protecting the rights of the citizens in this country. Journalists represent those citizens […]

  Hello. I’m Lia Ernst. I’m a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont. I’m also a member of the New England First Amendment Coalition Board of Directors. I joined the NEFAC board because those of us who seek to hold the government accountable can only do our work with robust enforcement […]

  Hello. My name is Edward Fitzpatrick. I worked for 29 years as a reporter, editor and columnist, including 16 years at The Providence Journal. I’m a New England First Amendment Coalition board member. Now, more than ever, we must defend the First Amendment. Now, more than ever, we must support the watchdogs that unearth the […]

The last several months have been trying for journalists and the First Amendment. The marginalization of the Fourth Estate, claims of fake news, the belittling of political protests and the questioning of clear truths have overwhelmed American discourse. The conversation — often led by a president who considers journalists enemies of the American people — can seem […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | mail@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently joined an amici curiae brief in a case involving a journalist arrested in 2011 while recording police at an Occupy Wall Street protest in New York. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit — which has […]

The New England First Amendment Coalition joined open government advocates throughout the country to celebrate this 12th annual Sunshine Week. Sunshine Week, from March 12-18, is a national campaign to promote dialogue about the importance of transparency and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public’s […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | mail@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will join open government advocates throughout the country to celebrate this 12th annual Sunshine Week. Sunshine Week, from March 12-18, is a national campaign to promote dialogue about the importance of transparency and freedom of information. Participants include news […]

By Jim Condos | Vermont Secretary of State An open government makes for a better government. Next week is Sunshine Week, and it will be celebrated all across the nation. In reality, it should be celebrated every week in Vermont and every other state. Here at the Secretary of State’s Office, our operations assume 625,000 Vermonters are looking over […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | mail@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will present two panel discussions today, exploring recent ethical questions facing newsrooms and the legal challenges of student journalism. Both discussions will occur as part of the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s winter conference at the Boston Marriott […]