Journalists from a variety of media and all six New England states will gather online Sept. 26 to Oct. 3 to learn the latest investigative and database reporting techniques and public records access skills. The fellows chosen for this 10th annual New England First Amendment Institute reflect today’s diverse news media and come from daily and weekly newspapers, television and radio stations and online publications. Learn more about NEFAI 2020.
This year’s program features a mix of live workshops, pre-recorded presentations and “drop-ins” where faculty will be available for questions and additional instruction.
September 26
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Keynote Speaker
Wesley Lowery | CBS News
Karen Bordeleau (Introduction) | NEFAC, Arizona State University
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Panel: Tales from the Trenches [Documents]
Panelists will share their practical experience in investigative work through painstaking interviewing and use of freedom of information laws to unearth corruption and bring truth to light.
Beth Healy | WBUR-Boston
Keila Torres Ocasio | Hearst Connecticut Media Group
Laura Ungar | Kaiser Health News
Walter V. Robinson (Moderator) | The Boston Globe
September 28
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Connecticut Break-Out Session
Mike Savino | WFSB-Hartford
Mary Schwind | Connecticut FOI Commission
September 29
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Web Scraping [Documents and Follow-Up Scheduling]
Please create a trial account with CometDocs.com and Tabula prior to this session.
Maggie Mulvihill | Boston University
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Rhode Island Break-Out Session [Documents]
Edward Fitzpatrick | The Boston Globe
Raymond A. Marcaccio | Oliverio & Marcaccio
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Drop-In: Common Pitfalls in Accessing Documents Through FOI Requests
Drop-in sessions are an opportunity for fellows to speak with the instructors of our pre-recorded presentations and ask follow-up questions. View all presentations and related materials here.
Kyle Hopkins | Anchorage Daily News / ProPublica
Jenifer McKim | GBH Center for Investigative Reporting, Boston University
Eli Sherman | WPRI-Providence
Tim White | WPRI-Providence
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Maine Break-Out Session [Documents]
Judy Meyer | Lewiston Sun Journal
Sigmund Schutz | Preti Flaherty
September 30
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Basic Database Analysis [Documents]
Prior to this session, please ensure your computer has Excel installed and confirm that the software can be opened and used. Please also install Tableau Public (free).
Brooke Williams | Boston University
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Drop-In: Tips for Staying Out of Legal Trouble: Common Issues in Invasion of Privacy
October 1
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Advanced Database Analysis
Matt Kauffman | The Hartford Courant (formerly)
2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Massachusetts Break-Out Session [Documents]
Peter Caruso | Caruso & Caruso
Todd Wallack | The Boston Globe
4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. New Hampshire Break-Out Session
Richard Gagliuso | Bernstein Shur
Nancy West | InDepthNH.org
October 2
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Panel: Effective Sourcing
When your FOI request languishes your reporting continues. Developing sources, relationships, knowing how to evaluate what you get.
Cindy Galli | ABC News
Jennifer Levitz | The Wall Street Journal
Michael Donoghue (Moderator) | Vermont Press Association
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Drop-In: Confrontational Interviews
Drop-in sessions are an opportunity for fellows to speak with the instructors of our pre-recorded presentations and ask follow-up questions. View all presentations and related materials here.
Mike Beaudet | WCVB-Boston, Northeastern University
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Vermont Break-Out Session [Documents]
Michael Donoghue | Vermont Press Association
Lia Ernst | ACLU of Vermont
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom Social for All Fellows and Faculty
Please join us for a casual gathering of all Institute participants. Learn more about the work of our fellows, faculty and speakers. This is a great opportunity to personally connect with others and have one-on-one conversations.
October 3
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Panel: Former Fellows
Hadley Barndollar | Seacoast Online
Laura Damon | Newport Daily News
Casey McDermott | New Hampshire Public Radio
Karen Bordeleau (Moderator) | NEFAC, Arizona State University
11 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Featured Speaker and Concluding Remarks
Margaret Sullivan | The Washington Post
Karen Bordeleau (Moderator) | NEFAC, Arizona State University
State Break-Out Sessions
State Break-Out Sessions will be scheduled according to the availability of individual fellows once they are chosen for the institute.
• Connecticut | Sept. 28 | 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Maine | Sept. 29 | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Massachusetts | Oct. 1 | 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• New Hampshire | Oct. 1 | 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Rhode Island | Sept. 29 | 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Vermont | Oct. 2 | 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Pre-Recorded Presentations
The following presentations and related materials can be viewed here throughout the duration of the institute. The session instructors will also be available for live “drop-ins” at the times listed above.
Common Pitfalls in Accessing Documents Through FOI Requests
Kyle Hopkins | Anchorage Daily News / ProPublica
Jenifer McKim | GBH Center for Investigative Reporting, Boston University
Eli Sherman | WPRI-Providence
Tim White (Moderator) | WPRI-Providence
Tips for Staying Out of Legal Trouble: Common Issues in Invasion of Privacy
Gregory V. Sullivan | Malloy & Sullivan
Confrontational Interviews
Mike Beaudet | WCVB-Boston, Northeastern University