NEFAC’s Introductory Classes on Public Records Continue with Lessons from Local Journalists
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its introductory series on public record laws with new classes on specific requests that can be made and how they can be turned into stories.
The classes — titled “3 Requests 3 Stories” — will feature a local journalist from each New England state. The journalist will explain how to make three specific requests using their respective state public records law and what stories can be reported with the records received. There will also be a similar class focusing on the federal Freedom of Information Act.
This new round of classes will be provided by NEFAC with support from the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, SPJ’s New England Chapter, MuckRock and the New England Society of News Editors.
Previous lessons can be viewed on NEFAC’s YouTube channel or through its new multimedia FOI Guide. It is recommended that these lessons are viewed prior to attending the new classes.
Registration is free and open to all members of the public.
3 Requests 3 Stories
A series of introductory lessons — taught by leading open government experts, attorneys and journalists — on the federal Freedom of Information Act and state public record laws.
Each class will be moderated by Emily Sweeney, a journalist at The Boston Globe and author of the books “Boston Organized Crime” and “Gangland Boston.” Sweeney currently writes the Blotter Tales column which appears in the Globe every Sunday. In addition to serving on the NEFAC Board of Directors, she’s also the president of the New England Society of News Editors.
MASSACHUSETTS | Sept. 29 | 6 p.m.
Ally Jarmanning is a senior reporter at WBUR focused on criminal justice and police accountability. She started at WBUR writing for Morning Edition.
MAINE | Oct. 6 | 6 p.m.
Samantha Hogan focuses on government accountability projects for The Maine Monitor. She joined the publication in 2019 as its first full-time reporter.
VERMONT | Oct. 13 | 6 p.m.
Liam Elder-Connors is a reporter for Vermont Public Radio who focuses on criminal justice, poverty and politics. He is also a 2019 Livingston Award finalist.
NEW HAMPSHIRE | Oct. 27 | 6 p.m.
Todd Bookman started as a news correspondent with New Hampshire Public Radio in 2009. He holds a master’s degree from Columbia University.
CONNECTICUT | Nov. 3 | 6 p.m.
Jordan Fenster is an award-winning journalist, podcaster and children’s book author. He is a senior reporter at Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
FEDERAL FOIA | Nov. 10 | 6 p.m.
Erin Siegal McIntyre is an investigative journalist and photographer who relocated from Mexico to join the journalism faculty at University of North Carolina in 2020.
RHODE ISLAND | Nov. 17 | 6 p.m.
Amanda Milkovits is a Boston Globe staff writer. She has worked as a reporter at New England newspapers since 1993, including nearly 19 years at The Providence Journal.
NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Please make a donation here.
Leadership Circle donors and Major Supporters of NEFAC include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Paul and Ann Sagan, The Boston Globe, the Robertson Foundation, WBUR, Boston University, the Academy of New England Journalists, and the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation.