NEFAC, Civil Rights Advocates Argue for Release of Police Misconduct Records in Massachusetts | The case involves an investigation into a fatal shooting by Fall River police. Family members are seeking records related to the investigation that a recent change in state law makes public. The District Attorney, however, is misconstruing the law by denying access to those records, explained NEFAC and other advocates in a recent amicus curiae brief.
Connecticut: Online Access to State Court Documents | Andrew Brown, an investigative reporter at the CT Mirror, provides step-by-step instruction on how to access judicial records online. This lesson builds on the information provided in NEFAC’s introduction to state court classes which can be viewed on our YouTube channel and in our FOI Guide. Learn more about our upcoming FOI lessons and register for classes on your state’s court system here.
NEFAC Receives ‘Game-Changing’ Bequest to Support Journalism Education, Programming | The New England First Amendment Coalition recently received the largest gift in the organization’s history from the estate of Gloria Negri, the late trailblazing journalist at The Boston Globe. The estate bequeathed $818,125 to the coalition for journalism education and programming. NEFAC will be renaming its annual New England First Amendment Institute after Negri in her honor.
Rhode Island: Online Access to State Court Documents | NEFAC’s Tim White, an investigative reporter for WPRI in Providence, provides step-by-step instruction on how to access judicial records online. This lesson builds on the information provided in NEFAC’s introduction to state court classes which can be viewed on our YouTube channel and in our FOI Guide. Learn more about our upcoming FOI lessons and register for classes on your state’s court system here.
NEFAC, New Hampshire News Organizations Request Release of Education Reform Records | NEFAC recently argued for the release of all records related to a special task force that will recommend revisions to rules governing public education in the state. The task force is a quasi-governmental body and subject to New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law, explained NEFAC, the Granite State News Collaborative and the New Hampshire Press Association.
Vermont: Online Access to State Court Documents | Liam Elder-Connors, Vermont Public’s public safety reporter, provides step-by-step instruction on how to access judicial records online. This lesson builds on the information provided in NEFAC’s introduction to state court classes which can be viewed on our YouTube channel and in our FOI Guide. Learn more about our upcoming FOI lessons and register for classes on your state’s court system here.
NEFAC, National Press Advocates Demand Info on FBI Raid of Journalist’s Home | NEFAC and more than 50 national press groups wrote to the U.S. Department of Justice demanding information about the raid of a Florida journalist’s home. The FBI raided the home newsroom of journalist Tim Burke in May after he obtained outtakes of Tucker Carlson’s interview with Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) where Ye made antisemitic and other offensive remarks.
Meet NEFAC’s 2023 New England First Amendment Institute Journalism Fellows | Now in its 13th year, the Institute provides support and training for New England journalists and gives them the tools they need to become more accomplished investigative reporters. The Institute — provided at no cost to those who attend — features many of the country’s elite reporters, editors and media attorneys. About 300 journalists have attended the Institute since its began in 2011.
Massachusetts: Online Access to State Court Documents | Todd Wallack, a correspondent for WBUR in Boston, provides step-by-step instruction on how to access judicial records online. This lesson builds on the information provided in NEFAC’s introduction to state court classes which can be viewed on our YouTube channel and in our FOI Guide. Learn more about our upcoming FOI lessons and register for classes on your state’s court system here.
30 Minute Skills: Data Visualization 102 | This is the second lesson on data visualization using Flourish, a free tool helpful to those working with large datasets and driving home the visual elements of a story. By viewing this lesson, you’ll learn (1) how to navigate Flourish and use its basic functions (2) how to develop simple visualizations such as charts and maps and (3) how to create a searchable database using the software. View all 30 Minute Skills lessons here.
Meet NEFAC’s First Class of Student Journalism Fellows From Rhode Island | With the support of the Rhode Island Foundation, the coalition is accepting this year a group of student journalists to attend its annual Institute along with 25 professional reporters, editors and producers from newsrooms throughout New England. The students were all nominated by faculty members at their respective schools. The Institute is Oct. 29-31 at Northeastern University in Boston.
Online Access to State Court Documents | NEFAC is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on state court documents and hearings. The lessons will be taught by local journalists who will provide step-by-step instruction on how to access judicial records online. This latest round of classes will be provided by NEFAC with support from SPJ New England, the Rhode Island Foundation and the New England Society of News Editors.
NEFAC, Media Organizations to U.S. Supreme Court: Live Audio Streaming of Oral Arguments Should Be Made Permanent Practice | “Live audio of Supreme Court proceedings unequivocally benefits the public and the press,” wrote NEFAC and 62 media organizations. “Short of providing live video of proceedings, permanent live audio of the Supreme Court’s proceedings is the best way to keep the public informed and engaged with respect to its operations.”
NEFAI 2023 Keynote Speakers Announced | Joining the 13th annual Institute are Eric Meyer, publisher and editor of the Marion County Record, the weekly newspaper in Kansas that recently made national headlines when local sheriffs raided its newsroom; Sisi Wei, editor-in-chief of The Markup, a nonprofit, investigative newsroom; and Brian Rosenthal, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at The New York Times and the president of Investigative Reporters and Editors.
NEFAC Files Amicus Brief Urging Mass. High Court to Protect the Public from SLAPP Suits | “The court has a great opportunity to recalibrate its approach to the anti-SLAPP Law,” said Jeffrey J. Pyle, an attorney at Prince Lobel in Boston who drafted the brief on behalf of NEFAC. “The statute protects legitimate petitioning of the government, full stop. We are hopeful the court will render a decision that applies the law as written.”