The New England First Amendment Coalition is the region’s leading defender of First Amendment freedoms and government transparency — the foundation of a healthy democracy.
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COMMENTARY
First Amendment Advocates Call HALO Act Dangerous
The HALO Act is a Massachusetts bill aimed at creating a buffer zone for first responders to be able to conduct their job responsibilities without interference from bystanders. NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan spoke to Dan Rea at WBZ News Radio about why the legislation is a danger to journalism and the public’s right to know about government.
Lawmakers: Worcester ICE Showdown Underscores Need for Massachusetts First Responder Buffer Zone
“It’s already against the law to interfere with police, and we have a strong First Amendment right to record them,” NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman told the Boston Herald. “This right is especially needed now with federal agents in our communities detaining immigrants with local law enforcement often present.”
It Took the City of Boston Six Months to Provide One Employee’s Election Day Emails
NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman spoke with NBC Boston’s Ryan Kath about major flaws in the Massachusetts public records law.
“Many people just don’t have the time or the financial resources to bring these cases to court, so unfortunately, oftentimes, these requests are just abandoned and we never get the answers to the questions we originally asked,” Silverman said.
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ADVOCACY
NEFAC Testifies in Support of Common-Sense, Practical Public Records Law Reform in Rhode Island
NEFAC’s Mike Stanton, a former Rhode Island investigative journalist and current University of Connecticut professor, addressed the Senate Committee on the Judiciary during its May 22 hearing on the bill.
“We’ve been told by legislative leaders that this isn’t really something of interest to other than reporters. They don’t hear it from your constituents,” Stanton said. “But of course your constituents are concerned about housing and health care and education. They also care about honest, effective and open government.”
NEFAC Opposes Rhode Island Bill That Could Criminalize Common Journalism Practices
“Journalists routinely follow newsworthy individuals — particularly government officials — in public with cameras or other electronic recording devices. Approaching these individuals in this manner is often the only way to ask important questions and seek accountability that would otherwise be evaded. It is also a practice protected by the First Amendment.”
Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen Votes to Remove Limits on Public Comments
The City of Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen recently voted to change its public participation policies to reflect recommendations made by the New England First Amendment Coalition.
“It is a matter of constitutional law,” explained NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan during the May 6 hearing. “The government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society or the government finds that idea or that speech offensive or disagreeable.”
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COMMUNITY
June 5 | Boston | WorldBoston | First Amendment and the Free Press
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
NEFAC Meets with Perúvian Journalists to Discuss Common Free Press Problems
Since 2011, NEFAC has partnered with WorldBoston, a local non-profit organization, to coordinate presentations and educational programming during visits by international groups of journalists. The coalition has led 13 programs through WorldBoston, focusing on topics such as open government, free speech, misinformation and the growth of non-profit newsrooms. 
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.
NEFAC Leads Open Government Lessons at High School Journalism Conference, UMass Amherst
The coalition recently led an open government workshop at Boston University for high school students as part of the annual New England Scholastic Press Association conference. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman also visited the University of Massachusetts Amherst to teach two classes on the First Amendment and freedom of information laws. Both campus visits were part of the coalition’s First Amendment and the Free Press program.