FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition called on the Maine Judicial Branch today to address a growing list of challenges impeding the public’s right to access court records online and at individual courthouses. Public access to most records through the state’s Odyssey system — software […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition helped commence the 26th annual Open Government Summit in Rhode Island today, reminding public officials they are gatekeepers to information and must act in the spirit of transparency. The summit — hosted by the Office of the Attorney […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and several Massachusetts open government groups again called on state lawmakers to make hybrid meeting requirements a priority during this legislative session. In a July 23 letter to Representatives Ron Mariano, Aaron Michlewitz and Tony Cabral, the advocates explained […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition met with officials from the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General today to discuss several open government issues in the state. Among those attending the meeting were Attorney General Peter Neronha, Deputy Attorney General Adi Goldstein and Executive […]
Please Note: Application Deadline Extended to Sept. 2 NEFAC’s Investigative Reporting Fellowships to Be Offered to 25 Reporters, Editors and Producers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will host its 14th annual investigative journalism institute from Oct. 20 to Oct. 22 at Northeastern University in Boston. […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org With the option to hold virtual public meetings set to expire statewide on March 2025, the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight today advanced a bill (H.4771) that would update the Open Meeting Law to require hybrid meetings, guaranteeing members of the public the ability […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor Connecticut resident Daniel Dunn with its 2024 Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award. The award is given to an individual from New England who has fought for information essential to the public’s understanding of what its government is doing […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will recognize Maine Trust for Local News later this month with its annual Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. Maine Trust for Local News — which includes publications such as the Sun Journal, Portland Press Herald and Kennebec Journal […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition met with officials from the Providence Police Department and the Mayor’s Office today to explore ways law enforcement information can be more efficiently shared with the public. Among those representing the city were Col. Oscar Perez and Emily Ward […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor Sarah-Ann Shaw, the late trail-blazing journalist and community advocate who mentored a generation of young reporters, with its 2024 Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award. Named after the late publisher of The Providence Journal, the Hamblett Award is […]