The New England First Amendment Coalition recently continued its international outreach and met with a delegation of Perúvian journalists to discuss common press battles. The U.S. State Department sponsors short-term visits to the United States for foreign officials, executives, journalists and other professionals to learn about a variety of topics, including the First Amendment. Since […]
Archives: News
City Approves NEFAC Changes to Civility Ordinance, Increases Protections for Expression The City of Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted this week to change its public participation policies to reflect recommendations made by the New England First Amendment Coalition. “It is a matter of constitutional law,” explained NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan during the May […]
The New England First Amendment Coalition and its Access/ Rhode Island partners expressed concern today over proposed rules that would limit the public’s ability to access court records online. The rules address how a new online filing system — a Tyler Technologies product called re:Search — will be implemented. The open government groups called those […]
Note: Briefs also filed in Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Dept. of Justice and Wilmer Hale LLP v. Executive Office of the President on April 11. The New England First Amendment Coalition and 60 press freedom advocates urged a federal court today to strike down an executive order that imposed sanctions on the Perkins […]
The New England First Amendment Coalition and several national advocacy organizations denounced today the recent detention of Tufts University Ph.D. student Rümeysa Öztürk by federal immigration authorities. NEFAC and advocates including the Student Press Law Center, Freedom of the Press Foundation and PEN America, said the detention appears to be a “blatant disregard for the […]
NEFAC Continues Advocacy Against Speech Ordinances in New Hampshire New Hampshire journalist and New England First Amendment Coalition advisor Mark Hayward testified on March 18 about the unconstitutional speech restrictions imposed by the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen. NEFAC and the ACLU of New Hampshire called on the City of Manchester last year to […]
The New England First Amendment Coalition joined several fellow advocates today to encourage the City of Boston to pass a “Sunshine Week” resolution outlining open government priorities. The goal of Sunshine Week — March 16-22 this year with related events occurring throughout the month — is to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and […]
Misapplication of Maine’s Group Libel Rule a Threat to News Reporting The New England First Amendment Coalition and several press advocates warned a federal court in Maine today that a recent decision threatens journalism and commentary on public policies. The groups submitted an amicus brief in Maine Lobster v. Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. The case […]
NEFAC, MFOIC Say Rules Would Create a Cloud of Secrecy Around Many Proceedings and Records The New England First Amendment Coalition recently criticized proposed probate court rules in Maine that would diminish accountability and unreasonably interfere with public access. “We are concerned that the proposed rules are written without adequate consideration having been given to […]
Access to Search Warrants Critical to Public’s Right to Know About Law Enforcement, Judicial System The New England First Amendment Coalition recently recommended changes to trial court practices that often make it difficult to access search warrant records in Massachusetts. “These documents are subject to the public records law and often inform reporting on critical […]