By Edward Fitzpatrick Rhode Island celebrated “Sunshine Week” recently, but when it comes to open government in Rhode Island these days, the more accurate description might be “Sunshine: Weak.” The Providence Journal detailed the dark days in a March 10 special report, “Transparency Under Assault: Government Secrecy in Rhode Island.” Reporters Tom Mooney and Amanda […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT John Marion | Common Cause RI | 401.338.6537 or Justin Silverman | NEFAC | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org In recognition of Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promote open government, several local organizations will present on March 23 a panel discussion on Rhode Island’s freedom of information laws. The program is from […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition, the ACLU of Rhode Island and several media organizations submitted today an amicus brief in support of a federal lawsuit filed by the Providence Journal. The Journal is seeking a ruling on the constitutionality of Superior Court Associate Justice […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition is pleased to announce two new additions to its board of directors. Joining NEFAC are Christopher “Topher” Hamblett, president and founder of The Foundation for West Africa, and Barbara T. Roessner, executive editor of Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “We […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition has expressed “grave concerns” about a Rhode Island judge’s recent order permanently banning reporters from speaking to jurors after a high-profile murder trial, calling the judge’s order overbroad and unconstitutional. Superior Court Judge Netti C. Vogel concluded a three-week […]
The following blog post is one of several 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 Linda Lotridge Levin | Access/RI It was Sunday morning Dec. 7, […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently called on Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to protect press rights in any legislation she introduces to address revenge pornography. Revenge pornography is commonly considered the sharing of images depicting adult nudity without the consent of the person pictured. […]
By Edward Fitzpatrick The First Amendment has become a political football. Conservatives pile on when liberals try to shut down conservative speakers on campus, and liberals lash out when President Trump calls for sacking those who take a knee during NFL national anthems or dare to call him a bigot. So will Little Rhody come […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition wrote to Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo this week encouraging her to sign a bill protecting student journalism in the state. House Bill 5550 would prevent schools from retaliating against student journalists for reporting controversial topics. The bill is a “commonsense attempt […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently asked Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to sign a bill that would provide the public more time to be notified about municipality meetings and would require minutes of those meetings to be posted online. House Bill 6323 excludes weekends and holidays […]