For 11 years, our broad-based, non-profit coalition has been the leading regional voice for protecting press freedoms and the public’s right to know about its government. NEFAC has advocated relentlessly for your First Amendment rights and we’ve accomplished a lot.
We provided free investigative journalism training to more than 175 reporters and editors from more than 90 news organizations.
We led dozens of panel discussions and guest lectures on the value of journalism, the First Amendment and the public’s right to know the truth.
Our efforts have been mentioned hundreds of times in the press, including The Wall Street Journal and CNN. Our commentary has appeared in major publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe.
In the last several years, we filed or joined more than 20 amicus briefs defending the First Amendment and calling for government transparency.
Most recently, we argued against officials in Vermont using private email accounts to avoid their public record obligations. In October, the state’s supreme court agreed with us and reinforced the scope of the law by requiring transparency for their work.
We testified in favor of stronger protections for student journalists in Vermont and Rhode Island. Both states passed laws this year incorporating our suggestions.
We admonished the President for attacking the Fourth Estate. We opposed plans by the U.S. attorney general to weaken guidelines protecting journalists. We honored First Amendment and right-to-know champions throughout the region. And we can do so much more.
Here’s our vision and how you can help:
NEFAC’s work is guided by an all-volunteer board — including prominent attorneys, journalists, teachers and concerned citizens — and is led by an executive director within the confines of a very limited budget.
Over the next three years, we hope to hire additional staff members to increase our programming and broaden our focus on First Amendment education, advocacy and defense. It will allow us to continue providing free training to financially strained newsrooms and increase our presence throughout New England.
Please help us raise $500,000 by 2020. We are asking you to make a multi-year commitment of any amount to help us reach that goal.
You’ll be in good company if you do. The Barr Foundation earlier this year made a three-year commitment to NEFAC, identifying the coalition’s role in promoting journalism and protecting the free press. Other major supporters include The Boston Globe, The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, The Robertson Foundation, the Hartford Courant and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
They, as well as many others, are investing in NEFAC. We need your support too. Please make a multi-year pledge today.
Thank you.