Sunshine Week 2022

The goal of Sunshine Week — March 13-19 this year with related events occurring throughout the month — is to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know.

Commentary

If you are looking for an expert speaker to discuss government transparency or a source for news commentary, please contact NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman at justin@nefac.org. Here is a sampling of where our commentary appeared during Sunshine Week:

• More Reminders of the Shortcomings of Maine’s Freedom of Access Law | Bangor Daily News
• NEFAC’s Justin Silverman Discusses Open Government (audio) | WBSM-New Bedford
• When Government Controls All Information, Citizens Aren’t Free | Keene Sentinel
• Shedding Light, Promoting Truth are Right in Our Wheelhouse | Newtown Bee
• Let the Sun Shine in On Open Government and Freedom of Information | Daily Item
• Groups Call for Making Online Meeting Access Permanent | State House News Service
• New Hampshire Released a Statewide List of Problem Police Officers. No Such List Exists in Massachusetts | Telegram & Gazette
• Massachusetts Questioned on Listing Problem Police Officers | Associated Press

Op/Ed

NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman wrote an op/ed about how government transparency can be a unifying principle at a time of increased polarization in the country. The op/ed is available to all news outlets for publication:

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Below is where the op/ed appeared:

Programs

Keeping the Light On and Holding Government Accountable in New Hampshire

March 14 | 6:30 p.m. ET

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides for the “right of the people to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” But what does that mean and how does it work?

Featured Speakers

CASEY McDERMOTT (moderator) | New Hampshire Public Radio
GILLES BISSONNETTE | ACLU of New Hampshire
HON. N. WILLIAM DELKER | N.H. Superior Court Justice
EMILY GRAY RICE | City of Manchester City Solicitor
GREGORY V. SULLIVAN | Malloy & Sullivan and Board Member of Loeb School and NEFAC

New Hampshire Public Record Appeals: Learn How to Fight Back When Your Records Request is Denied

March 16 | 6 p.m. ET

Featuring Gregory V. Sullivan who serves as general counsel for the Union Leader Corporation. Sullivan also teaches First Amendment Media Law at Suffolk University Law School in Boston and at the Nackey Loeb School in Manchester.

Recommended Viewing Prior to Program: (1) Introduction to New Hampshire Public Records Law (2) 3 Requests 3 Stories

What’s the Future of Online
Public Meetings in Rhode Island?

March 23 | 7 p.m. ET

When the pandemic began two years ago, our government moved online. Since then we have seen the good and the bad of online public meetings. Join us for a discussion about what the future holds for online public meetings in Rhode Island. We will hear from advocates and practitioners about the pros and cons of government by Zoom.

Featured Speakers

NEFAC Programs and Presentations

June 27 | New England First Amendment Awards
Learn More

June 28 | Rhode Island Open Meetings and Remote Access | Register

July TBD | 30 Minute Skills
Freelancing 101 | Registration Open Soon

July 12 | Connecticut Open Meetings and Remote Access | Register

July 19 | Vermont Open Meetings and Remote Access | Register

Aug. TBD | 30 Minute Skills
Freelancing 102 | Registration Open Soon

Sept. 10 | 30 Minute Skills
Audio Reporting

Oct. TBD | 30 Minute Skills
Copyright Law 101 | Registration Open Soon

Nov. TBD | 30 Minute Skills
Copyright Law 102 | Registration Open Soon

Dec. TBD | 30 Minute Skills
How to Pitch Your Photojournalism | Registration Open Soon

NEFAC appreciates the support of all its donors and volunteers. In particular, we would like to thank the following Legacy Circle, Leadership Donors ($10,000+) and Major Supporters ($2,500-$9,999) for their contributions: