By Josh Moore and Justin Silverman When student journalists at Amherst Regional High School in Massachusetts heard last spring that middle schoolers in their town were experiencing transphobic and homophobic bullying, they immediately got to work. The students asked hard questions of administrators and conducted sensitive interviews with victims. With the help of their journalism […]
FOI Guide Home Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Rhode Island | Vermont | Federal FOIA (Last updated February 12, 2024) Where can the law be found? Maine’s open meetings law falls under Chapter 13 of the state’s code (“Public Records and Access,” part of the broader “Freedom of Access Act” or […]
Please note: The deadline for applications has been extended to March 1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Melanie Plenda | melanie.plenda@collaborativenh.org The decline in local news coverage has been a cause for concern across the country, with significant consequences for communities. According to a report by the Columbia Journalism Review, fewer newspaper newsroom employees since 2004 […]
By Mark Hayward “Dear Sir or Madam, I am making this request under the New Hampshire Right to Know Law . . . ” As a New Hampshire reporter for more than three decades, I sent my share of letters and emails that began with these words. It was a simple process. I made a […]
Register Now for New Round of FOI Lessons The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on how to obtain police misconduct records. The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s growing library of public records classes which can be viewed here. They will be taught […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association today outlined arguments for more transparency in a high-profile commercial sex ring case that could ultimately be heard in secret. The case involves 28 individuals accused of paying for sex and who have been […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Update (Jan. 26, 2024): Thomas Kerr, the state’s Right to Know Ombudsman, responded to NEFAC’s concerns. The New England First Amendment Coalition requested changes today to policies proposed by the New Hampshire Right to Know Ombudsman. Thomas Kerr, who serves as the state’s first ombudsman, […]
The New England First Amendment Coalition’s “First Amendment and the Free Press” program highlights our constitutional freedoms and the democratic role journalism plays in our country. We discuss how the First Amendment works and how local newsrooms can best meet their obligations to the communities they cover. Here’s a sampling of our audiences in 2023: […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce its leadership for 2024, a group of more than four dozen directors and advisors who represent many of the most prestigious newsrooms and law firms in the region. Affiliations for those listed below is provided […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Note: NEFAC and other advocates followed up with the New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 18 to express concerns about an amendment proposed for HB 1002. The New England First Amendment Coalition called on New Hampshire legislators today to reject a proposal that could […]