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 forward to a very productive program.”
This three-day institute is open each year to 25 New England journalists and provides the support and training necessary to become accomplished investigative reporters, well versed in the freedom of information laws that govern today’s difficult reporting landscape.
NEFAC provides the institute — held this year from Oct. 29-31 at Northeastern University in Boston — at no cost to those who attend. The New York Times’ David Barboza, a Pulitzer Prize winner, will deliver the keynote address. Joining Barboza as featured speakers are Brian McGrory, editor at The Boston Globe, and Kathleen Carroll, former executive editor of the Associated Press.
Other speakers include Wesley Lowery of The Washington Post; Politico’s Josh Gerstein; Eric Eyre, reporter for the Gazette-Mail (W.Va.) and winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting; Cindy Galli, investigative journalist for ABC News; Jenifer McKim of the New England Center for Investigative Reporting; and Michael Rezendes of The Boston Globe. A full list of speakers can be viewed here.
This year’s institute is made possible by the generosity of the Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, the program’s primary supporter; as well as Northeastern University, the New England Newspaper & Press Association, the Academy of New England Journalists, Boston University and the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.
NEFAI 2017 Fellows
Connecticut
Stephen Busemeyer | Hartford Courant
Jill Konopka | WVIT-Hartford
Kaitlyn Krasselt | Norwalk Hour
Martha Shanahan | The Day
Maine
Abigail Adams | Lincoln County News
Charles Eichacker | Kennebec Journal
Callie Ferguson | The Forecaster
Massachusetts
Collin Binkley | Associated Press
Amanda Drane | Berkshire Eagle
Melissa Hanson | MassLive
Brad Petrishen | Telegram & Gazette
Greg Ryan | Boston Business Journal
New Hampshire
Caitlin Andrews | Concord Monitor
Allison DeAngelis | Eagle-Tribune
Casey McDermott | New Hampshire Public Radio
Paige Sutherland | New Hampshire Public Radio
Rhode Island
Kate Bramson | Providence Journal
Susan Campbell | WPRI-Providence
Derek Gomes | Newport Daily News
Diana Pinzon | WPRI-Providence
Vermont
Alicia Freese | Seven Days
Tommy Gardner | Stowe Reporter
Hilary Niles | Independent
Adam Silverman | Burlington Free Press
Greg Sukiennik | New England Newspapers
Pictured above, from left to right: (Row One) Adams, Binkley, Gomes, Krasselt, DeAngelis (Row Two) Drane, Busemeyer, Freese, Andrews, Ferguson (Row Three) Eichacker, McDermott, Sukiennik, Ryan, Shanahan (Row Four) Bramson, Silverman, Niles, Pinzon, Hanson (Row Five) Konopka, Sutherland, Campbell, Gardner, Petrishen.
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.
Major Supporters of NEFAC for this year include the Barr Foundation, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, Lois Howe McClure, The Boston Globe and Boston University. Celebration Supporters include The Hartford Courant and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.