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Massachusetts Has A New Public Records Law — Now What?

By Robert A. Bertsche and Jeffrey Pyle This New Year’s Day, journalists in Massachusetts can look forward to more than just a hangover: They’ll have a new public records law to try out. Like a night of epic carousing, the “Act to Improve Public Records,” which goes into effect January 1, has upsides and downsides. […]

It’s #GivingTuesday — Give Your Support to the First Amendment and Open Government

Our freedom to learn about our leaders and to speak about what matters most is always at risk. The New England First Amendment Coalition is celebrating 10 years of protecting those freedoms and helping to hold our government accountable. Help us now prepare for another decade of advocacy. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving […]

NEFAC Seeking Applicants for 2017 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is seeking applications for its 2017 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. The FOI Award is given each year to a New England journalist or team of journalists for a body of work from the previous calendar year that protects or advances the […]

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It’s Sunshine Week and Vermont Has a Right to Know

The following blog post is one of six that the New England First Amendment Coalition will publish during Sunshine Week, highlighting the need for government transparency and addressing freedom of information concerns throughout the New England states. When posted, these articles can be read here. By Jim Condos Vermont Secretary of State Sunshine Week, which is now […]

Sen. Leahy Discusses Scalia Death, Nomination Process; NEFAC Names FOI Award After Veteran Reporter, Board Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, a son of Vermont printers, recalled during the New England First Amendment Coalition’s annual luncheon today that he learned from a young age the importance of free speech. “We were taught that people have a right to practice any religion they want […]

New EnglandFirst AmendmentAwards

NEFAC honors each year individuals who have promoted and defended the First Amendment throughout New England. During its annual ceremony, the coalition presents the Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award, the Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award and the Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award. Learn more about previous ceremonies: 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | […]

Press Coverage 2015

R.I. Needs Less Spin, More Transparency | The Providence Journal 12.21.15 “We are outnumbered,” said Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. “The rise of PR and the decline of watchdog journalism should be a serious concern for the public. The goals of the news media and the PR industry are […]

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We Are The Transparency Police

By Philip Eil By now, it’s clear the Obama Administration can’t be trusted to accurately describe its own transparency. The rhetoric simply doesn’t match the reality. The president has claimed he’s running the “most transparent administration in history” and yet a host of news organizations — from the Atlantic, to Bloomberg Business, to The New […]

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It’s Time to Establish a Vt. Independent Ethics Commission

By Jim Condos Vermonters deserve good government – and that includes an open and transparent government. We are proud of our state and our collective ability to overcome any difficult issue we may encounter. As Vermonters, when we see a problem, we know we can fix it through hard work and a dose of common […]

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After Deaths of Two Children, Public Records Request Exposes Deficiencies at Vermont’s DCF

By Steph Machado At least two heartbreaking deaths of toddlers occurred in Vermont recently and the state’s Department for Children and Families may have been able to prevent them. In one case, police said 2-year-old Dezirae Sheldon was murdered by her stepfather, just weeks after DCF and a judge allowed the child to return home. DCF […]