Transparency is the first the step to justice. As our country debates the role of police in our communities, it’s important to remember that the public’s right to know about government is a prerequisite to accountability. Citizens must know how their law enforcement agencies operate in order to understand if they are working in the […]
Better understand the impact we’re making in the region and why the New England First Amendment Coalition is deserving of your support. We protect your rights through Education, Advocacy and Defense. Since 2006, the New England First Amendment Coalition has been the region’s leading voice for press freedom and government transparency. When newsrooms need perspective […]
Coalition Testimony Outlines Measures Needed to Improve Accountability and Public Oversight FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition sent a letter to Connecticut lawmakers today recommending specific transparency requirements that should be included in recently proposed police accountability legislation. “With those in Connecticut now discussing how […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition sent a letter today to Vermont representatives demanding more transparency within law enforcement agencies and describing changes that could be made to improve public oversight. “During the last several weeks, the issue of police brutality has risen in our […]
Better understand the impact we’re making in the region and why the New England First Amendment Coalition is deserving of your support. We protect your rights through Education, Advocacy and Defense. NEFAC is a valuable legal resource helping all New Englanders both outside and inside the courtroom. We take calls regularly from journalists and citizen […]
Coalition Encourages Lawmakers to Follow Recent Doyle Decision and Keep Free Inspection FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently testified against efforts in Vermont to charge fees for the inspection of public records. A Vermont Supreme Court decision last year held that citizens are able […]
To U.S. Congress Re: Federal Agency Communication Policies (Nov. 6, 2019) Over the last 25 years there has been a relatively rapid trend toward federal agencies and others prohibiting staff members from communicating to journalists without reporting to some authority, often public information officers. The restrictions have become, in great part, a cultural norm in […]
City Didn’t Disclose Real Estate Purchases | The Laconia Daily Sun 12.18.19 Richard Gagliuso, who has represented newspapers and media outlets in New Hampshire since the 1980s and is on the board of New England First Amendment Coalition, said the state’s Right to Know Law allows non-public sessions for acquisition of real estate. First Amendment […]
NEFAC, Media Organizations Filed Brief in Case Warning of Chilling Effect if Privilege Not Upheld FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the state’s “fair report” privilege earlier this week confirming that news organizations can fairly and accurately report certain types of governmental action without being […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently argued for the right to secretly record the public activities of government officials, including police officers. In an Oct. 4 amicus brief drafted by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, NEFAC and other media organizations explained […]