News

NEFAC to Teach First Amendment, Journalism at Rhode Island Library Association Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will be at the Rhode Island Library Annual Conference to provide presentations on First Amendment law and common challenges faced by local journalists. The conference will be May 24-25 at the Providence Public Library. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman […]

Former Boston Globe Editor Brian McGrory to Be Honored for First Amendment Advocacy

Nancy West of InDepthNH and Portland (Me.) Resident Susan Hawes Also to Be Recognized FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will present its 2023 Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award to Brian McGrory, former editor of The Boston Globe and current chair of the Boston University […]

NEFAC, Union Leader Argue for Unsealing of Records in Harmony Montgomery Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and Union Leader Corp. recently intervened in a New Hampshire criminal court case to demand the release of records currently sealed. The defendant in the high-profile case — State of New Hampshire v. Adam Montgomery — is accused of killing his five-year-old […]

NEFAC Summer Legal Fellow, Interns to Strengthen First Amendment Advocacy and Programming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce one law school fellow and two undergraduate interns who will be supporting the organization throughout the summer: • Brett Johnson, a rising third-year student at the University of Iowa College of Law who is also […]

30 Minute Skills: How to Interview Hostile Sources

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 […]

NEFAC, ACLU to Nashua Officials: Repeal Unconstitutional Civility Ordinance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently demanded that an ordinance prohibiting offensive speech during Nashua, N.H., town meetings be repealed, calling the restriction a violation of the state’s constitution. The Nashua Board of Aldermen last year enacted an ordinance that bans “crude, vulgar, profane […]

Introduction to State Courts

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 courts. The classes will feature local attorneys, journalists and other experts who will explain how state courts in New […]

NEFAC to Participate in SPJ’s Regional Conference at Roger Williams University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition will be at the Society of Professional Journalists regional conference later this month at Roger Williams University. The conference will be hosted April 21-22 by the university’s journalism program, Southern Connecticut State University‘s journalism department and local SPJ chapters. NEFAC […]

NEFAC Supports Maine Legislation to Require More Police Transparency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently testified in support of Maine legislation that would make it easier to obtain public employee misconduct records, including those of police officers. LD 1397 requires longer archiving of public employee misconduct records, more documentation about the misconduct that occurred, and […]

NEFAC, Maine Advocates Argue for ‘Bad Faith’ Standard to Be Applied in Public Records Case

Update (Jan. 23, 2024): Superior Court Orders Government Entity to Pay $130,000 in FOAA Case Update (Aug. 22, 2023): Law Court Affirms ‘Bad Faith’ Finding in Public Records Case Stemming From Kennebec County Jail Lawsuit FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently argued for a clear […]