Reporting on Local Protests: How Newsrooms Cover Political Demonstrations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org

In partnership with the Sun Journal and Kennebec Journal, the New England First Amendment Coalition will present a community conversation on local journalism from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17.

The event is part of NEFAC’s First Amendment and the Free Press program.

With political demonstrations occurring throughout the country and weekly protests held at the Maine State House, citizens are asking: why are these events covered the way they are? This event will help pull back the newsroom curtain and focus on recent news coverage. Speakers will answer questions about news decisions and provide insight into how the media covers Maine.

The program is free, online and open to the public. Registration is required.

Speakers include:


JUDITH MEYER | Meyer is executive editor of the Sun Journal, Kennebec Journal, the Morning Sentinel and six weekly newspapers owned by the Sun Media Group. She is a member of the New England First Amendment Coalition’s Board of Directors, serves as vice president of the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition and is a member of the Right to Know Advisory Committee to the Legislature. A journalist since 1990, she was named Maine’s Journalist of the Year in 2003.

JOE PHELAN | Phelan is a Kennebec Journal photographer who has covered the protests at the State House.

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JUSTIN SILVERMAN (moderator) | Silverman is executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. Silverman is an attorney and teaches First Amendment law at the University of Maine School of Law in Portland. He is a former journalist and newspaper publisher.

 


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.