LEARN HOW WE MADE
AN IMPACT IN 2017
Dear Friend of NEFAC,
If you care about democracy, stop what you’re doing for just a moment and take this quiz:
What five freedoms are guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
No using Google. You have 10 seconds… 9 … 8 … 7 …
How did you do? If you were able to identify even one freedom guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, then you are ahead of your peers. A recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 37 percent of Americans failed to name one basic freedom.
America’s abysmal “score” on the First Amendment test proves we have our work cut out for us. How can we expect citizens to defend their civil liberties if they don’t know what they are?
The New England First Amendment Coalition has a plan. And you can help.
NEFAC is well known and respected for its main mission: defending freedom of the press and the public’s right to know about its government in all six New England states. Our broad-based volunteer organization of dedicated citizens, journalists, lawyers and professors believes in the democratic power of transparency — and we fight for it.
We file amicus briefs, defend rights under public record and open meeting laws, and regularly publish commentaries. We speak at legislative hearings, participate on panels, and honor journalists and citizens who defend civil liberties. We also teach mid-career reporters how to write stories for the public good at our annual three-day investigative journalism institute. Learn more about our work and read our 2017 Annual Review.
This year, NEFAC has added a special mission: to educate high school students, college students and any interested civic group about the extraordinary privileges of the First Amendment and our responsibility to protect those privileges. As part of this mission, NEFAC volunteers are visiting classrooms and public spaces in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont to deliver one powerful message: The First Amendment is first for a reason.
Thomas Jefferson once said: “A well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.” We wholeheartedly agree. Please help us fight for democracy by giving a tax-deductible donation to NEFAC today. We are grateful for your support.
Thank you!
Karen Bordeleau
NEFAC President
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 the Barr Foundation, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, The Boston Globe, WBUR and Boston University.