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COMMENTARY
The Struggle to Obtain Documents Under Massachusetts Public Records Law
NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman is calling for changes to the law. “It’s just a very weak public records law that, on its face, should grant us a lot of transparency,” he said. “But in reality it doesn’t.” Silverman added that the governor’s office, legislature and judiciary being exempt from the public records law encourages noncompliance among other state agencies.
Seven-Week Wait for Interview on City Spending
In a conversation with The Light in early November, New England First Amendment Coalition President Greg Sullivan questioned whether the city was being reasonable by delaying the interview for weeks and asking for written questions only. “Written questions are not the same thing as an interview, where you can follow up,” Sullivan said. “That’s the point of an interview.”
‘Constantly in Fear’: Everett Demands Answers on Ousted School Chief’s Investigation
Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, which promotes access to government and its work, said it’s important for the public to know when allegations are made against a school official — and the outcome of an investigation. “We have a right to know what the investigation found,” Silverman said.
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ADVOCACY
NEFAC, Vermont Press Association Defend Right to Record in Milton
The Milton Library Board of Trustees had planned to discuss a possible policy that would prohibit attendees of its meetings from recording. NEFAC and the Vermont Press Association sent a letter to Board Chair Alan Fletcher on Nov. 14 and explained that “recording is not just legally protected but it’s encouraged under the law.”
NEFAC: Access to Massachusetts Courts Limited By Inoperable, Overused Public Terminals
“Due to a combination of out-of-service kiosks and individuals using kiosks for an unreasonable amount of time, public access can frequently be denied. This is a major concern given that many court records, such as documents in criminal cases, cannot be thoroughly researched remotely but must instead be searched for through these kiosks.”
NEFAC, R.I. Open Government Groups Renew Call for Changes to Police Body Camera Policies
“By providing the means for greater transparency and accountability in police work, the implementation of police body-worn cameras (BWC) serves as an important oversight tool for both law enforcement and the public,” wrote the groups to the Department of Public Safety. “However, BWCs can only accomplish this goal if the policies and regulations governing them enshrine that role.”
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COMMUNITY
NEFAC Discusses Journalism, First Amendment to Lebanese and African Delegations
The New England First Amendment Coalition recently continued its international outreach with constitutional lessons for Lebanese and African journalists, academics and community advocates. The U.S. State Department sponsors short-term visits to the United States for foreign officials, executives, journalists and other professionals to learn about a variety of topics, including the First Amendment. Since 2011, NEFAC has partnered with WorldBoston, a local non-profit organization, to coordinate presentations and educational programming during those visits.
First Amendment and the Free Press at UMass Amherst
NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spent a day at the University of Massachusetts Amherst speaking to journalism classes about how the First Amendment protects newsrooms. Silverman discussed the importance of public record laws and how students can better access government information. The visit was part of the coalition’s First Amendment and the Free Press program which provides guest speakers for classroom, campus and community center events.
Negri First Amendment Institute Keynote Speakers and Faculty Announced
NEFAC will host 33 journalism fellows — 25 professionals and eight students — at the Institute which consists of local workshops, remote programming and three-days of in-person instruction at Northeastern University beginning Oct. 20. More than 300 journalists from 100 local news organizations have attended the Negri Institute since it began in 2011.
Meet NEFAC’s 2024 Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute Journalism Fellows
Named after the late trail-blazing Boston Globe journalist, the Negri Institute is an annual, multi-day, intensive training program on freedom of information law and investigative reporting techniques. It is offered each year exclusively to 25 New England journalists. The 14th annual Institute — provided at no cost to those who attend — consists of local workshops, online classes and in-person instruction at Northeastern University.