News

NEFAC Stresses Importance of Transparency During 25th Annual Rhode Island Open Government Summit

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition helped commence the 25th annual Open Government Summit in Rhode Island today, calling on public officials to uphold freedom of information laws and provide transparency whenever possible. The summit — hosted by the Office of the Attorney General […]

Introducing Civic Documenters: Empowering Communities to Strengthen Local News Coverage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS Melanie Plenda | melanie.plenda@collaborativenh.org The decline in local news coverage has been a cause for concern across the country, with significant consequences for communities. According to a report by the Columbia Journalism Review, fewer newspaper newsroom employees since 2004 has contributed to this alarming trend, resulting in a lack of crucial […]

NEFAC, Mass. Public Access Advocates Testify in Support of Guaranteed Hybrid Open Meetings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition joined municipal leaders, disability advocates, and other open government organizations today to testify in support of legislation that will guarantee greater access to open meetings by allowing members of the public to attend and participate in meetings in person […]

NEFAC, Mass. Transparency Advocates to Testify in Support of Guaranteed Hybrid Open Meetings

Testimony to Include Remote Participation From Residents Who Cannot Attend Meetings in Person Due to Disability and Other Constraints FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will join open government advocates in Massachusetts to testify on July 26 in support of a legislative proposal to ensure […]

Applications for 13th Annual New England First Amendment Institute Now Available

NEFAC’s Investigative Reporting Fellowships to Be Offered to 25 Journalists; Deadline August 18 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will host its 13th annual New England First Amendment Institute from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31 at Northeastern University in Boston. “We have trained hundreds of […]

30 Minute Skills: Digging Deeper in Broadcast Journalism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2020 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 […]

NEFAC, Vermont Press Association Defend Right to Record Public Meetings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Vermont Press Association recently urged the City of Barre Diversity and Equity Committee to allow members of the public to record meetings in compliance with state and federal law. During a June 8 public meeting of the committee, […]

Access to State Court Documents and Hearings

Register Now for New Round of FOI Lessons FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on state court documents and hearings. The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s introduction to state court classes which […]

30 Minute Skills: How to Find People Online

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2020 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 […]