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COMMENTARY

Maine State Pension Lawsuit Highlights Private-Markets Disclosure Debate

Justin Silverman, an attorney and executive director of nonprofit New England First Amendment Coalition, said there isn’t much legal precedent for the continuing case, at least in that part of the country. He is hopeful of an outcome that will challenge norms on what should and shouldn’t be considered confidential.

“Because of the amount of public money that has been invested and lost through the retirement system, there is a very high public interest in having many, if not all, of these documents disclosed,” he said.

Mass. Police Say a 25-Foot Buffer Will Keep Them Safe. First Amendment Advocates Call It ‘Dangerous’

Federal courts have repeatedly said that filming police while they perform their duties is a well-established First Amendment right, said Gregory V. Sullivan, an attorney and president of the New England First Amendment Coalition. Creating a 25-foot buffer, he said, could take that ability away.

With Healey’s Signature, Virtual Meetings Can Continue in Massachusetts

At in-person meetings, groups can rally and show support for causes, journalists and residents can pose questions that are avoidable in online forums, and certain disabilities can be better accommodated, said Justin Silverman, executive director of New England First Amendment Coalition. “Both points of access [in-person and virtual] need to be provided, that is the most equitable way forward,” he explained. 

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ADVOCACY

NEFAC, R.I. Partners: Rules for Proposed Online Court System a ‘Major Disappointment’

The New England First Amendment Coalition and its Access/ Rhode Island partners expressed concern today over proposed rules that would limit the public’s ability to access court records online. The rules address how a new online record system — a Tyler Technologies product called re:Search — will be implemented. The open government groups called those rules a “major disappointment in a number of respects.”

NEFAC, Press Advocates: Executive Order Targeting Law Firm Threatens Journalism

The press plays an essential role as both a proxy for the public and a check on government power, which requires an oppositional relationship with government interests. The president’s executive orders targeting lawyers with clients opposed to his agenda would severely restrict press organizations’ access to legal counsel, particularly for outlets relying on pro bono or reduced-fee representation.

NEFAC, National First Amendment Groups Condemn Detention of Tufts University Student Op/Ed Writer

The New England First Amendment Coalition and several national advocacy organizations denounced today the recent detention of Tufts University Ph.D. student Rümeysa Öztürk by federal immigration authorities. The groups said the detention appears to be a “blatant disregard for the principles of free speech and free press within the First Amendment.”

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COMMUNITY

April 29 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | First Amendment and the Free Press

May 2 | Boston University | New England Scholastic Press Association Conference

May 13 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: Writing Workshop 102

May 14 | Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications | Saint Anselm College | First Amendment Law: Defamation and Privacy

June 12 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: Broadcast Journalism 101

June 27 | Endicott College | Young Journalists Workshop

July 22 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: How to Use Signal to Protect Documents and Sources

Aug. 19 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: Immigration Reporting 101

Sept. 29 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: How to Start a Non-Profit Newsroom

Oct. 20 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: How to Start Your Own Podcast

Nov. 6 | Online | 30 Minute Skills: How to Network and Find Your Next Great Opportunity


30 Minute Skills: How to Cover Marginalized Communities

Often the stories of marginalized communities are the least likely to be told. By viewing this lesson, you’ll learn (1) the initial steps to take when covering a marginalized community for the first time (2) how to learn about a community’s culture and customs ahead of your reporting and (3) considerate ways to overcome obstacles in your reporting while still empowering your sources to share their stories.

30 Minute Skills: Business Reporting 101

All journalists — whatever the beat — should think of themselves as business journalists. By viewing this class, you’ll learn (1) how to begin a business beat or start incorporating business journalism practices into your current beat (2) where to find stories and sources and (3) how to localize national and global business stories.

30 Minute Skills: Copyright Law 102

Copyright law can be a complex and nuanced area for journalists and non-journalists alike. Questions of ownership, fair use and other intellectual property concerns are especially relevant to newsgathering as more information is found through social media and other online sources. This is the second of two classes introducing copyright law and suggesting best practices. View the first class here

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