New England First Amendment Institute Applications Due August 31
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
Bill Keller, former executive editor of The New York Times and current editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project, a non-profit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s New England First Amendment Institute.
The New England First Amendment Coalition offers the three-day institute each year at no cost to 25 New England journalists. The sixth annual institute is from Oct. 16-18 in Dedham, Mass. Applications can be found here and must be received by Aug. 31.
Keller
“We’re very excited to have Bill open NEFAI 2016,” said Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director. “He is one of the leading voices in journalism and has a wealth of experience to share with this year’s fellows. We’re honored to have him kick-off what will be a very impressive program.”
NEFAI provides editors and reporters with the support and training necessary to become accomplished investigative journalists, well-versed in the freedom of information laws that govern today’s difficult reporting landscape. Many exceptional, award-winning journalists and First Amendment attorneys volunteer as faculty each year.
Topics covered by the institute include state and federal freedom of information law, database reporting, Internet and social media research, source development, writing strategies, investigative techniques and accuracy and responsibility in reporting.
Prior to joining The Marshall Project, Keller worked for The New York Times from 1984 to 2014 as a correspondent, editor and op-ed columnist. As a correspondent, he covered the collapse of the Soviet Union, winning a Pulitzer Prize, and the end of white rule in South Africa. From July 2003 until September 2011, he was the executive editor of the newspaper.
“During his eight years in that role,” according to The New York Times, the newspaper “sustained and built its formidable newsgathering staff, winning 18 Pulitzer Prizes, and expanded its audience by mastering the journalistic potential of the Internet.”
Previous keynote speakers include members of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize-winning Spotlight Team at The Boston Globe; Martin Kaiser, the award-winning editor formerly of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel; Brian McGrory, current editor-in-chief of The Boston Globe; Michael Oreskes, former senior managing editor of the Associated Press; and Robert Rosenthal, executive director of the Center for Investigative Reporting.
Sponsors and supporters of this year’s institute include The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, the Robertson Foundation, The Boston Globe, the New England Newspaper & Press Association and the Academy of New England Journalists.
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NEFAC was formed in 2006 to advance and protect the Five Freedoms of the First Amendment, including the principle of the public’s right to know. We’re a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of an informed democratic society. Our members include lawyers, journalists, historians, academics and private citizens.
Our coalition is funded through contributions made by those who value the First Amendment and who strive to keep government accountable. Donations can be made here. Major Supporters of NEFAC for this year include: The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, The Boston Globe and Boston University.