FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org
The New England First Amendment Coalition is serving as a mentor for local reporters as part of the recently-launched FOI Bootcamp for Journalists of Color program.
The National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Society of Professional Journalists began the FOI Bootcamp in June to assist reporters of color in acquiring and analyzing government documents and data. As part of the program, participants are paired with an open government or press organization to begin a long-term mentorship.
NEFAC is currently mentoring a Massachusetts-based journalist and providing a network of resources, including regular access to local reporters and editors, journalism academics and media attorneys.
“We’re honored to be a part of the program and to help local journalists in this new way,” said Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director. “The FOI Bootcamp is an exciting opportunity to connect reporters with the resources they need to pursue transparency.”
Part of NEFAC’s mission is to help strengthen local journalism and provide reporters and editors throughout the region with the tools they need. In addition to serving as a mentor in the FOI Bootcamp, NEFAC hosts an annual investigative journalism institute, provides free lessons on newsrooms skills such as data visualization and web scraping, and presents webinars on public record laws, among many other topics.
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. Please make a donation here.
Major Supporters of NEFAC include Hearst Connecticut Media Group, Paul and Ann Sagan, The Boston Globe, WBUR, Boston University and the Robertson Foundation.