FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Following votes to temporarily extend certain pandemic policies, over a dozen advocacy organizations are calling for permanent reforms to ensure continued virtual access to public meetings. The groups — including disability rights and free press organizations — support legislation to make remote access for public […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently testified against changes to the Rhode Island Open Meeting Law that would allow public bodies to meet exclusively online with few in-person meeting requirements. “With this legislation, members of public bodies can avoid directly facing journalists and other […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and a group of fellow open government advocates recently called for changes in Rhode Island legislation that, as currently written, would “be a significant blow to transparency and accountability.” Amendments to H 5891 and S 0804 offer some protection […]

Dear Friend of the First Amendment, The New England First Amendment Coalition continues to grow in programming and influence because of your generous support through the years. It may sound like a cliché, but it’s the truth: the work we do every day isn’t possible without your help. During the last five months, we have […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently joined a group of press advocates in support of an effort to get the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a long-running case concerning public access to court documents at the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, or FISC, a […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition testified today in support of legislation in Massachusetts that would preserve the ability of citizens to attend public meetings both remotely and in-person. Senate Bill 2028 and House Bill 3152 would require government agencies to provide remote access to all […]

The New England First Amendment Coalition recently launched a monthly educational series featuring short, practical lessons on journalism and the First Amendment. The goal of the program — called “30 Minute Skills” — is to provide reporters and other citizens knowledge they can use immediately in newsgathering, data collection, storytelling and other areas of journalism […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition wrote to New Hampshire state senators today about a bill that would restrict access to police mugshots, calling the proposal “a dangerous and unjustified infringement” upon the public’s right to know and the ability of journalists to report the news. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Society of Professional Journalists New England are offering lessons on the federal Freedom of Information Act and state public record laws. The short introductory classes will feature expert instructors and be moderated by Emily Sweeney, a reporter […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition, along with several media organizations, is suing Vermont court officials over delays in public access to judicial documents. “The First Amendment provides the press and public with a presumptive right of access to newly filed civil complaints, and where […]