FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently expressed concern about how a new online judicial records system will be implemented in Vermont. Proposed rules released by the Vermont Supreme Court in February cover records in both physical and electronic form. The rules are intended to […]
By Jim Condos On Tuesday, March 5th, Vermonters elected their local government officials on Town Meeting Day. In November 2018, Vermonters chose their statewide officers and legislative representatives. In November 2016, Vermonters voted for the highest elected office in the United States. Regardless of the difference in responsibilities of their positions, from local select boards […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition argued that Vermont residents should be able to view, free of charge, police body camera footage, calling access to such public documents the “vena cava of an open society.” “Without this access, citizens must rely on the statements of […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition recently expressed concern over proposed rules that would limit the public’s ability to record Vermont judicial proceedings and require journalists to register with the state before using cameras in courtrooms. “In summary, we believe these changes are unnecessary as […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Michael Donoghue, a longtime Vermont journalist and first vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition, will discuss the First Amendment and his 50 years covering Vermont news on Nov. 14 at The Converse Home, 272 Church Street, Burlington, Vt. The discussion will begin at […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org Michael Donoghue, a longtime Vermont journalist and first vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition, will discuss the First Amendment and his 50 years covering Vermont news on Oct. 7 at the South Hero Library, 75 South Street, South Hero, Vt. The discussion will […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Vermont Press Association today condemned the recent removal of an article written by Burlington High School students and called for additional education for administrators on a new law protecting student journalists and their advisors. As the groups explained […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition supports a legislative effort to clarify the responsibilities of public officials under Vermont’s freedom of information laws but cautions that additional changes are still needed. Vermont House Bill 910 would add definitions to the state’s open meetings law that […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Justin Silverman | 774.244.2365 | justin@nefac.org The New England First Amendment Coalition today opposed a Vermont bill that would weaken the state’s open meeting law and make it more difficult for residents to obtain timely information about their government. House Bill 700 would allow state agencies and municipalities more time to post public meeting minutes around […]
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 Jim Condos | State of Vermont It’s Sunshine Week, a national […]