Press Coverage 2019

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 Coalition Honors Times Publisher Sulzberger | Associated Press 12.16.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition is honoring the publisher of The New York Times. The coalition said Monday that Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger will receive its 2020 Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award.

First Amendment Advocates Find Fault with New Bath Law | Times Record 12.6.19

Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition and a professor at the University of Maine School of Law, said he is concerned about the rule’s 30-day notice requirement, as it “may make it difficult for residents to rally around timely issues.” “Topics that are of the highest public interest are going to generate larger crowds and there isn’t always the luxury to give timely notice,” said Silverman.

Should Mass. Exempt Police Body Camera Footage? | The Boston Globe 11.29.19

Massachusetts already lags behind most of the country in government transparency — the judiciary, legislature, and governor’s office all consider themselves exempt from the state’s public records law. Now there’s legislation that would make government even more opaque.

North Haven Board Sets Rule to Limit Public Speakers | New Haven Register 11.25.19

Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said public boards should have a policy to have public comment. “If they have limitations or prevent people from voicing their concerns, there’s a problem there and (they) should consider changing it,” he said. “While boards need to operate within certain rules and need to manage the meeting in a mannerly way, in addition to that there needs to be a forum for citizens to voice their concerns.” “If citizens find that these rules are too restrictive for them to voice their concerns, then these rules should be reconsidered,” Silverman said.

Clerks Say They Still Plan to Charge for Vermont Land Records | Valley News 11.24.19

The policy held by many Vermont town clerks is concerning to some public records advocates, including Justin Silverman, the executive director of the Massachusetts-based New England First Amendment Coalition, who said that establishing a fee for photographing land records — when it’s free to look at those same records — sets up a barrier between the public and their right to know. “(Doyle vs. Burlington) is pretty clear that the public shouldn’t be charged,” he said, referencing the September Supreme Court ruling. “With these records being public, there shouldn’t be any fee.” When it comes to the cost of upkeep and maintaining land records, Silverman said he’s sympathetic but that keeping those records is part of the town clerk’s job. “That cost shouldn’t be shifted beyond tax dollars,” he said, adding that the fees are left over from a time before digital photography was ubiquitous. Charging people for taking their own photos of land records is nothing more than a “way to maintain revenue,” he said.

Courage in Student Journalism Award Goes to Vermont High School Editors | SPLC 11.23.19

Along with assistance from the Student Press Law Center, The BHS Register also received steadfast support from the Vermont Press Association and the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Journalism Students Put Massachusetts’ Public Records Law to the Test | The Scope 11.20.19

But Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said in an email interview that no one should be asked to identify themselves in order to inspect records on site, as was the case in Cambridge and Somerville. “There may be some logistical issues, such as the mailing of records, that would make identification necessary,” Silverman said. “But if someone were to show up at an agency office and ask for records, they should not be denied those records if they refuse to provide identification when asked.”

The Right to Free Speech: Is it Under Attack? (audio) | NewsCycle 11.7.19

NewsCycle host Alicia Preston speaks with Gary Dinges, Director of National Content and Video for GateHouse Media, Mary Zahran, Op Ed writer for the Fayetteville Observer, and Justin Silverman, Executive Director of The New England First Amendment Coalition about the right to free speech and if that right is under attack.

Justices Grill Raimondo Lawyer in Request for 38 Studios Records | Providence Journal 11.7.19

The American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause Rhode Island, the New England First Amendment Coalition and the Rhode Island Press Association joined Raimondo in a friend-of-the-court brief, arguing that 38 Studios represents the rare exception in which the public interest in transparency outweighs the need for grand jury secrecy.

Celebrating Veterans, and the First Amendment | Providence Journal 11.6.19

If you have some free time tonight, consider heading to the Olneyville branch of the Providence Public Library, where Journal reporters G. Wayne Miller and Tom Mooney will join Steve Brown of the ACLU and Steph Machado of WPRI in a community conversation, “First Amendment and the Free Press.” It’s sponsored by the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Harvard Students Need Lesson on Bias | Boston Herald 10.25.19

Free-speech advocates backed The Crimson. . . . Justin Silverman of the New England First Amendment Coalition said, “They have to do their due diligence to reach out to the agency, and try to get their perspective. That’s good, responsible journalism.”

Harvard Students Triggered After Newspaper Asks ICE for Comment | Boston Herald 10.24.19

Justin Silverman of the New England First Amendment Coalition said, “They have to do their due diligence to reach out to the agency, and try to get their perspective. That’s good, responsible journalism.”

Student Journalists Barred from Meeting Regarding Intersection Updates | The Vermont Cynic 10.23.19

Mike Donoghue, a longtime First Amendment and transparency advocate, said the government-imposed news blackout is disappointing, but not a surprise, with UVM and the city of Burlington hiding behind closed doors. “Both UVM and the city of Burlington, including the public works department have histories of not being transparent,” said Donoghue, first vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition and executive director of the Vermont Press Association. “Students and taxpayers would like to think the new UVM president and the Burlington mayor would want their public staff to side in favor of open and free discussion when talking about keeping students and pedestrians safe,” he said.

Perez Issues Explanation of, Apology for Reporter’s Arrest | CT Post 10.22.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition also sent a letter to the chief, but the group’s executive director Justin Silverman said Tuesday they have yet to get a response. “While an apology is certainly welcome, more important are specific plans to protect press freedoms in the future,” Silverman said. “This letter describes none. The First Amendment doesn’t settle for occasional accommodations. It’s the law — perhaps the most important of them all — and should always be followed. Bridgeport residents and the journalists covering their community deserve to know what, if anything, the department is doing to prevent such a mistake from occurring again.”

Want to Know a Newton City Council Candidate’s Opinion? | The Boston Globe 10.21.19

Justin Silverman, the executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said elected officials have an obligation to keep people informed about what is happening in local communities. As election day approaches, “we also rely on these officials to provide their perspective and political positions to help us make informed decisions as voters,” he said. “Any policy that detracts from these fundamental obligations should probably be reconsidered.”

First Amendment and the Free Press to Be Discussed | MetroWest Daily News 10.10.19

Learn more about your First Amendment rights and the free press Saturday afternoon at the Hopkinton Public Library. A guest panel will answer questions from attendees to foster a discussion about the primary rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. The event, First Amendment and the Free Press, is sponsored by the New England First Amendment Coalition in conjunction with the Daily News.

Arguments Scheduled on Release of 38 Studios Records | Providence Journal 10.9.19

Legal filings have been flying back and forth for months in anticipation of the hearing, which pits Raimondo against the former Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and his successor, Peter Neronha. Groups siding with Raimondo in friend-of-the-court briefs include the ACLU of Rhode Island, Common Cause Rhode Island, the New England First Amendment Coalition and the Rhode Island Press Association.

Keeping These Books on the Shelves | The Eagle-Tribune 9.25.19

The Haverhill Public Library is encouraging patrons to share photos of banned books, and over in Saugus, the public library is hosting a session by the New England First Amendment Coalition titled “The First Amendment and a Free Press.”

Saugus Public Library to Host First Amendment Forum | Wicked Local 9.17.19

It will be a discussion panel on matters pertaining to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This event, free and open to the public, is made possible by a collaboration between the Saugus Public Library and the New England First Amendment Coalition.

When In Doubt, Hand It Out | Caledonian Record 9.17.19

Backed by the ACLU, Vermont Press Association, New England First Amendment Coalition, the Vermont Journalism Trust and Secretary of State Jim Condos, Doyle fought the police obstruction effort. They all argued that the examination of public records are the lifeblood of an open society.

Supreme Court Rejects Fee for Public Records Access | Rutland Herald 9.14.19

A brief in support of the ACLU of Vermont’s appeal was filed on behalf of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the New England First Amendment Coalition and the Vermont Press Association.

Document Raises Prospect of an Eventual Sale of Wyatt Detention Center | The Boston Globe 9.12.19

Wyatt spokesman Christopher Hunter declined to give the Globe a copy of the agreement, saying the document is “in draft form and has not been submitted at a public meeting yet. You can get a copy when the board votes on it.” Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, disagreed. “Under that reasoning, you could declare anything a draft until it’s voted on. This is the version that is going to be voted on,” he said. “The public should have an opportunity to comment on that version.”

Daily News’s Laura Damon Selected as Institute Fellow | Newport Daily News 9.8.19

Daily News reporter Laura Damon was chosen as one of 25 journalists to be a 2019 New England First Amendment Institute fellow. Now in its ninth year, the three-day institute provides support and training for 25 journalists to give them the tools they need to become more accomplished investigative reporters, well versed in the freedom of information laws that govern today’s difficult reporting landscape, according to a release from the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Mass. DOR Can Withhold Data on Local Marijuana Tax Distributions, State Rules | MassLive 8.23.19

Justin Silverman, a media law attorney and executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said he believes the privacy interest of dispensaries “seems questionable,” since the information can be publicly accessed through cities and towns. “Even if the Department of Revenue can withhold this information, that’s something that we should reconsider given how new the marijuana industry is to the commonwealth and the public interest in learning more about that industry and how it operates,” Silverman said.

Zeninjor Enwemeka of WBUR’s Bostonomix to Join the Former Fellows Panel at NEFAI 2019 | WBUR 8.21.19

Enwemeka was a NEFAI Fellow in 2016, chosen by the New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC)—a broad-based organization of people who believe in the power of transparency in a democratic society. NEFAI is open each year to 25 New England journalists, providing support and training to become well-versed in the freedom of information laws and accomplished investigative reporters.

New Court Rules Set Recording Restrictions for Media and Public | VTDigger 8.15.19

Mike Donoghue, executive director of the Vermont Press Association and vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition, has concerns about the new rules but he said understands the need to modernize the judiciary’s policies.

First Amendment Groups Raise Concerns About Neronha’s Agreement | GoLocalProv 7.31.19

A coalition of First Amendment advocate groups have sent a letter to Attorney General Peter Neronha raising concerns about his Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Diocese of Providence.

Open Government Group Raises Concern Over Neronha’s Agreement | The Providence Journal 7.30.19

“Troubling precedent,″ wrote Linda Lotridge Levin, the retired University of Rhode Island journalism professor who is president of Access/RI, a coalition that counts, among its board members, representatives of the Rhode Island affiliate of the ACLU, Common Cause Rhode Island, the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island and the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Chiefs Cite Cost as Key Deterrent to Implementing Body Cams | MetroWest Daily News 7.27.19

“Under our law, there are a couple exemptions,” said Justin Silverman, director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. “If there is a private interest that outweighs the public interest in disclosing that footage, then these police departments have the opportunity to withhold that footage or redact it. That tool, that exemption, currently exists.”

Everett Mayor Ordered to Turn Over Communications | MassLive 7.26.19

“We have the public records law to give the public, citizens a better understanding of how government does its job,” said Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. “If those emails pertain to government business, then the public should have access to them so they know what’s being done on their behalf.” . . . NEFAC’s Silverman said it’s important for the public to understand the importance of the public having access to government operations, even those on private computers. “Without that responsibility and that obligation being put on the department,” he said, “then public officials can discuss whatever they want when it comes to the public’s business on a private email account without any oversight or public scrutiny.”

Media Applauds Vt. Supreme Court in WCAX Ruling | Rutland Herald 7.22.19

Michael Donoghue, first vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC), said in an email Monday the coalition is “extremely pleased and delighted” with the court’s decision. “This is the first challenge under the new law and NEFAC believes the high court properly ensured transparency in this important case. Vermont courts belong to the public and unfortunately the lawyers sometimes lose sight of that important fact. The Vermont Supreme Court understood the importance of ensuring the public’s understanding of what transpired in this case — even behind closed doors. “When this country was founded, journalists were never intended to be an arm of law enforcement, but that is exactly what was happening in this subpoena case. Instead of law enforcement filming their own actions, they want journalists — reporters or photographers to turn over their work product — whether used or not. That has always been unacceptable. Journalists are not supposed to take sides,” Donoghue wrote.

Officers, State Officials Divided Over New Bill | MetroWest Daily News 7.22.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition sent a letter to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on July 18 opposing the bill. “Despite improvements to the public records statute in 2016, Massachusetts continues to lag behind most of the country in government transparency,” according to the letter, which was co-signed by the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association and the New England Newspaper & Press Association. “A primary example of our Commonwealth’s culture of secrecy is the fact that Massachusetts is the only state where all three branches of government — executive, legislative and judiciary — are exempt or claim to be exempt from the public records law. With the passage of House Bill 2120, Massachusetts would become even more of an outlier. ”

Vermont Supreme Court Sides with WCAX, Orders Release of Media Shield Law Ruling | VTDigger 7.19.19

Michael Donoghue, a former Burlington Free Press reporter, executive director of the VPA and first vice president of New England First Amendment Coalition, also praised the decision to release the lower court ruling regarding the media shield law. “The Supreme Court today clearly said there has to be some public explanation and that’s why they ordered it to be public,” Donoghue said of the lower court ruling.

The 2019 New England Muzzle Awards | WGBH 7.2.19

In Burlington, Vermont, students were forced to remove from their school newspaper’s website an unflattering story about one of their guidance counselors. They fought back, won, and received an award from the New England First Amendment Coalition, which recognized their efforts on behalf of a free press.

Cranston Public Library hosts ‘First Amendment & the Free Press’ | Cranston Herald 6.26.19

On June 17, the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library hosted a “First Amendment and the Free Press” event sponsored by the New England First Amendment Coalition. Panelists for the event included Lynn Arditi of The Public’s Radio, Jared A. Goldstein of Roger Williams University School of Law, Amanda Milkovits of the Boston Globe and John Kostrzewa of Bryant University.

First Amendment — Wednesday Olneyville Library | Providence Daily Dose 6.25.19

This Wednesday the New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC) will present another installment of “First Amendment and the Free Press,” this time at the Providence Community Library in Olneyville.

Hearst CT Reporter Named Champion of Open Government | Hearst Connecticut Media 6.19.19

After O’Neill’s arrest, the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists and the New England First Amendment Coalition both denounced the police action, calling for an explanation.

Cranston Chatter | Cranston Herald 6.12.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition will present its ongoing community conversation, “First Amendment and the Free Press,” on Monday, June 17, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the James Giles Community Room at the Cranston Public Library’s Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Road. Speakers will include Lynn Arditi of The Public’s Radio, constitutional law professor Jared A. Goldstein, former Providence Journal business editor John Kostrzewa and Boston Globe reporter Amanda Milkovits.

‘First Amendment and the Free Press’ at Central Library | Cranston Herald 6.5.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition will present its ongoing community conversation, “First Amendment and the Free Press,” from 7-8:30 p.m. on June 17 at the Central Library in the James T. Giles Community Room. This event is free and open to the public. Speakers include Lynn Arditi, Jared A. Goldstein, John Kostrzewa and Amanda Milkovits.

Nesi’s Notes | WPRI-Providence 5.31.19

Tim White, Mike Stanton, Paola Prado and Ed Fitzpatrick offer a sure-to-be-solid panel discussion about “The First Amendment and the Free Press” at Providence Community Library’s Wanskuck branch, hosted by the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Bad News Intimidation Tactics | Caledonian Record 5.29.19

In a letter to Bridgeport Chief Armando Perez and Mayor Joseph Ganim, New England First Amendment Coalition Executive Director Justin Silverman wrote, “While responsible law enforcement is crucial to the well-being of our communities, so is journalism. There is simply no excuse for a journalist to be arrested for doing her job.” Silverman called on Perez and Ganim “to be transparent about {the arrest}, be accountable for the actions of your department and begin working with local newsrooms to restore the public trust that was lost last night with O’Neill’s arrest.” He also called for an open review of police procedures and an apology, offering NEFAC as a resource. “We. . . believe there is no room for baseless arrests and intimidation of journalists in our communities.” Silverman is 100% right. . . and there’s a lot at stake.

New England First Amendment Coalition to Hold Panel Discussion | Wicked Local 5.28.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition will sponsor a panel discussion on First Amendment and the Free Press from 7 to 8:30 p.m. June 4 at the Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main St. The event will feature Jonathan Albano Morgan Lewis; Anne Brennan, of Gatehouse Media; Leah Lamson, of the New England High School Journalism Collaborative; and Susan Spencer, of the Telegram and Gazette.

Press Freedom Panel Sparks Lively Discussion at Southworth Library | Dartmouth Week 5.24.19

The panel discussion was presented by the New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC) as a community conversation, which covered topics like Julian Assange, the term “fake news,” and rising violence against the press.

911 Calls Are Supposed to Be Public Records | MassLive 5.19.19

“The person on the other end of that call, that’s trying to help the caller, how they act, how they respond, that’s information that the public needs to know,” said Justin Silverman, the executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. . . . Releasing the calls, said Silverman of the New England First Amendment Coalition, allows the public to know that if they need to call 911 in the future, their call will be handled responsibly. . . . When a call does fall within an exemption, it doesn’t mean the recording cannot be available to the public, argued Silverman. “Even if they are able to deny the request for the 911 call, it doesn’t mean they have to,” Silverman said. “The police have the discretion to release the calls and should, particularly when it’s in the public interest to hear that audio.”

Open Courts | Caledonian Record 5.16.19

As New England First Amendment Coalition Executive Director Justin Silverman explains, “Concealing court opinions deprives the public an opportunity to learn why judges rule as they do. Such secrecy shouldn’t occur unless under the most consequential of circumstances. It is antithetical to a functioning democracy.” . . . “Releasing the decision would help Vermonters better understand how the court interpreted the newly enacted reporter’s shield law and it would provide the transparency needed to oversee the state’s judicial system,” said Silverman.

WCAX Appeals Judge’s Decision to Seal Court Ruling | VTDigger 5.15.19

In a statement after the hearing, the New England First Amendment Coalition echoed Bowman’s arguments in favor of disclosure. “Concealing court opinions deprives the public an opportunity to learn why judges rule as they do. Such secrecy shouldn’t occur unless under the most consequential of circumstances. It is antithetical to a functioning democracy,” the coalition said. “With the decision kept secret, we’re all left to wonder why the Superior Court ruled as it did and how future cases may be affected.”

WCAX Takes First Amendment Battle to High Court | WCAX 5.14.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition issued a statement in support of that, saying that releasing the decision would help Vermonters better understand how the court interpreted the shield law and also provide transparency in the state’s judicial system.

Police? Muffling the Media Won’t Work | New Haven Register 5.12.19

In a letter to Bridgeport Police Department Chief of Police Armando Perez and city Mayor Joseph Ganim, the New England First Amendment Coalition called O’Neill’s detainment inexcusable. “While responsible law enforcement is crucial to the well-being of our communities, so is journalism,” according to the May 10 letter. “There is simply no excuse for a journalist to be arrested for doing her job.” . . . “This is a challenging time for journalists,” said Justin Silverman, the coalition’s executive director. “Freedom of the press is being marginalized, if not outright attacked, by those in power on all levels of government. We can show no tolerance for this disregard of the First Amendment.”

Arrest of Connecticut Journalist Covering Demonstration Draws Condemnation | The Boston Globe 5.10.19

The First Amendment coalition, meanwhile, said O’Neill’s arrest was inexcusable and called for the Bridgeport police chief to present a full public explanation of what happened, release the name of the arresting officer, issue an apology, and review its policies and procedures. “We call on you to be transparent about last night’s events, be accountable for the actions of your department and begin working with local newsrooms to restore the public trust that was lost last night with O’Neill’s arrest,” Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director, wrote in a statement on behalf of the group.

Connecticut Post Reporter Detained While Covering Bridgeport Protest | The Hartford Courant 5.10.19

In a letter to Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, the New England First Amendment Coalition called on the city to release the name of the officer who detained O’Neill, release a full explanation of the events that led to her detention and apologize. “While responsible law enforcement is crucial to the well-being of our communities, so is journalism,” the letter said. “There is simply no excuse for a journalist to be arrested for doing her job.

Cops Cuff Reporter; Reporter Slaps Down SLAPP | New Haven Independent 5.10.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition issued this statement decrying the arrest and demanding a response from Bridgeport officials.

Reporter Detained While Covering Connecticut Demonstration | Associated Press 5.10.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC) also issued a response to O’Neill’s detainment, calling on the Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez to explain to the public what led up to her arrest and issue a formal apology.

The First Amendment and the Free Press — A Community Conversation | The Bedford Citizen 4.29.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC) and The Bedford Citizen will present another program in NEFAC’s ongoing community conversations, The First Amendment and the Free Press, from 7 to 8:30 pm on Monday, May 13 in the meeting room at the Bedford Free Public Library, 7 Mudge Way, Bedford.

First Amendment Talk Set in Leominster | Sentinel & Enterprise 4.25.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition will present a panel discussion on the First Amendment and the free press on May 15 from 7-9 p.m. at the Leominster Public Library. The program is free and open to the public. It is presented as part of the library’s focus on social justice during the month of February, and its yearlong “Leominster Library University” slate of educational programs.

Vermont Supreme Court Hears Inspection Of Public Records Case Involving Burlington Police | VPR 4.17.19

Several agencies, including Vermont’s secretary of state and New England First Amendment Coalition, filed briefs in support of the ACLU’s position.

Vermont Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Charging to View Police Body Cams | VTDigger 4.17.19

Several other organizations have signed onto amicus briefs in support of Doyle and the ACLU of Vermont. They include the Conservation Law Foundation, the Vermont Natural Resources Council, The Vermont Journalism Trust, Vermont Press Association, and the New England First Amendment Coalition.  . . . Michael Donoghue, a former Burlington Free Press reporter, represented the Vermont Press Association and the New England First Amendment Coalition, at the hearing Wednesday. Speaking after the proceeding, Donoghue that he found “interesting” that the Burlington Police Department wanted to charge Doyle fees in this case, but in another recent situation released body cam footage without charging anyone.  . . . “The other day the Burlington Police Department issued a video involving some Secret Service agents, they redacted certain parts of it and never charged anybody and circulated it among the media,” Donoghue said. “I’m not sure what the difference is between those two cases,” he added. “Why do you want to charge in this case, but on the other hand did not charge anybody, as far as I know, in the Secret Service case.”

When Muskets Defended the Editorial Page (audio) | Commonwealth Magazine 4.16.19

Much has changed in the national discourse since a pro-war rabble two centuries ago tore down a Baltimore newspaper building, besieged the paper’s editor, and later broke into the city jail to attack him yet again. But while legal and conventional structures have been erected to protect a robust free press, the baying mob hasn’t exactly gone away, according to Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, and Rep. Josh Cutler of Duxbury, author of the new book Mobtown Massacre: Alexander Hanson and the Baltimore Newspaper War of 1812.

First Amendment: Up to the Public to Shine a Light on Government | Providence Journal 4.7.19

It was encouraging to see more than 50 people turn out a cold, windy Saturday morning to hear from Milkovits, former WPRI-TV reporter Dan McGowan and The Valley Breeze Managing Editor Ethan Shorey. Common Cause Rhode Island hosted the “Demystifying Democracy” event along with ACCESS/RI, the R.I. ACLU, the League of Women Voters of R.I., the R.I. Press Association and the New England First Amendment Coalition. I was the moderator, so I’ll skip right to the end and give you the takeaway from each panelist.

Contract Cost Items Should Be Public, Transparency Advocates Say | Concord Monitor 3.31.19

Richard Gagliuso, an attorney with Bernstein Shur and a director at the New England First Amendment Coalition, said public contracts don’t come up often in his work, but they should. “I think people may look at the exemption in the RTK law for ‘strategy or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining’ and assume that anything having to do with collective bargaining, at any stage of the process, is off limits. That is not the case,” he wrote in an email.

NEFAC to Present ‘The First Amendment and the Free Press’ | RI News Today 3.26.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition will present its ongoing community conversation, “The First Amendment and the Free Press,” from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on April 29 at Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence.

Amended Autopsy Report that Led to Maine Mistrial is Being Kept Secret | Press Herald 3.19.19

But attorney Sigmund Schutz said the court has many tools to select an impartial jury, such as the ability to individually question potential jurors, and there is a public interest that should warrant the report being released. “I think this goes to the public’s confidence in the fairness of our criminal justice system and the performance of an incredibly important public official,” said Schutz, a board member of the New England First Amendment Coalition and an attorney who represents the Portland Press Herald in public records cases.

Under the Golden Dome: Where Lawmakers Stand on Public Records Law | Daily Hampshire Gazette 3.18.19

“That’s too much secrecy,” Justin Silverman, the executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, said in written testimony to the Legislature in September. Silverman called it “an embarrassment” that all three branches of government in the commonwealth claim to be exempt from public records requests. “Accountability simply cannot exist where there is secrecy.”

Journalists Put ‘the Public’ in Public Records | IRW 3.15.19

Mike Donoghue, vice president of the New England First Amendment Coalition and a longtime reporter, said the public’s lack of knowledge about open government is a top concern for the coalition. Journalists are trained to overcome roadblocks. But a concerned parent looking into school board activities may not have the same knowledge. A family member concerned about violations at a nursing home may struggle to find time to fight for inspection records. Someone receiving public assistance may not be able to afford to pay for records they need. And those scenarios assume the general public even knows to ask. “They just don’t know what the next step is or that they really are entitled to these records,” Donoghue said. “Citizens sort of shrug and walk out the door and go: ‘Huh, OK. I guess I’m not entitled to those documents.’” The New England First Amendment Coalition provides resources to educate the public about open government. But until someone has a reason to access this information, most people don’t know how public records laws work.

Panelists at Brown See Increased Attacks By Officials | The Providence Journal 3.15.19

This disrespect for a free press is becoming the new normal, a new low bar has been set for future governments,” said Karen Bordeleau, president of the New England First Amendment Coalition and former executive editor at The Providence Journal. “This is not just a press problem. This is America’s problem.”

Journalists Advocate for Freedom of Speech | The Brown Daily Herald 3.15.19

“If I were writing a lede here, it would be that the Trump administration has shown a blatant disrespect and disregard for civil liberties, which has reverberated around the globe,” said Karen Bordeleau, president of the New England First Amendment Coalition and former executive editor of The Providence Journal, in a panel discussion Thursday night.

Nominating State’s Judges Starts in the Dark | Cape Cod Times 3.15.19

New England First Amendment Coalition Executive Director Justin Silverman said Massachusetts government, generally, operates in a “culture of secrecy,” citing the state’s public record laws, which exempt the judiciary, the Legislature and the governor’s office from having to respond to records requests. “It’s an uphill battle and I think it’s a very tough sell to tell the governor and legislators, ‘You should be more transparent and more accountable to the people you serve,’” Silverman said.

Let the Sunshine In | Milton Times 3.14.19

Each March, beyond basketball’s March Madness, is Sunshine Week, “ a national celebration of the citizen’s right to know about government,” as posted on the New England First Amendment Coalition website. Its goal, as nefac.org notes, is to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know.”

Your Right to Know is Vital to Freedom | Union Leader 3.13.19

A valuable and informative discussion of New Hampshire law was held Monday night at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications, Inc. The school, which teaches and preaches the First Amendment, co-sponsored the event with the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Police Investigations Are, and Must Remain, Public | The Hartford Courant 3.10.19

“There is simply no reason for this bill other than a strong preference by law enforcement and prosecutors not to be supervised by the public,” said Justin Silverman of the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Bill Would Allow Too Much Police Secrecy | The Day 3.10.19

Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition, put it so well in his testimony that we will let his words sum up our editorial: “There is simply no reason for this bill, other than a strong preference by law enforcement and prosecutors not to be supervised by the public.

What Should Remain Public Information in Criminal Investigations? | CT News Junkie 3.7.19

Making that very same argument was the New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC). “The Connecticut FOIA already allows police to keep secret any documents that could jeopardize an investigation, identify a witness, or reveal investigatory techniques, NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman wrote. “Even when interpreted narrowly, this legislation is unnecessary given the state’s existing police records exemption to the Freedom of Information Act,” Silverman said. “There is simply no reason for this bill, other than a strong preference by law enforcement and prosecutors not to be supervised by the public.”

Bill Would Expand Police Secrecy | Hearst Connecticut 3.6.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition warned that such a law would give too much power to law enforcement, leaving a vague definition of “property” seized in criminal probes, and could prevent the disclosure of all records in all criminal cases. “Bill No. 970 would give police unreasonably broad discretion to shield from the public records it now has the right to view,” wrote Justin Silverman, NEFAC’s executive director. “This could make it near impossible for Connecticut residents to monitor the activity of police and hold its law enforcement accountable.”

ProPublica Editor Says Economics Biggest Threat to Free Press | Providence Journal 3.3.19

Engelberg, who founded The New York Times’ investigative unit and served as managing editor of The Oregonian, recounted his Rhode Island days while accepting the Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award from the New England First Amendment Coalition in Boston on Feb. 15. Named after the late publisher of The Providence Journal, the Hamblett Award is given each year to those who have promoted, defended or advocated for the First Amendment during their careers.

Documents Provide Insight Into Mind of a Murderer | Roger Williams University 2.19.19

On Feb. 15, Altimari and Julien were in Boston for NEFAC’s annual First Amendment awards luncheon. The Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award is given to journalists who fight for the public’s right to know under federal or state law. Releasing Lanza’s documents creates a trail, helping to explain why he may have decided to shoot 20 children and six adults fatally.

Student Journalists Win Battle Against Censorship | Roger Williams University 2.19.19

The students were honored by the New England First Amendment Coalition in Boston on Feb. 15 for their courageous efforts. “It was definitely like delving into the unknown at first, but we were running on adrenaline at that point,” Editor Julia Shannon-Grillo said. “I think it’s made more people want to write for us and become more motivated to write things like this.”

Upcoming Events at the Leominster Public Library | Leominster Champion 2.20.19

The Leominster Public Library invites the community to “The First Amendment and the Free Press,” a panel discussion challenging Americans to rediscover the central role the First Amendment and a free press plays in our democracy. The program will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Community Room, in partnership with the New England First Amendment Coalition. It is presented as part of the library’s focus on social justice during the month of February, and its year-long “Leominster Library University” slate of educational programs. The event is part of NEFAC’s Featured Speaker Program, launched to help increase First Amendment education in high schools, college classrooms and community organizations. Scheduled speakers are Richard Gagliuso, attorney at New Hampshire’s Burnstein Shur; Justin Silverman, executive director of the New England First Amendment Coalition; and Susan Spencer, news reporter for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Student-Journalists Recognized for Fighting Censorship | WCAX-Burlington 2.15.19

The former Burlington High School guidance director has now lost his license over charges of misconduct. During a luncheon, the New England First Amendment Coalition will honor the young journalists from the school newspaper. The Register who did not back down from their story. The students used public records last year to write the story, and led to some back and forth with school leaders and allegations of censorship.

Vermont High School Paper to Be Recognized for Pushing Story | Associated Press 2.10.19

Journalists from a Vermont student newspaper are being recognized by the New England First Amendment Coalition for breaking a story about their guidance director who faced state disciplinary charges. The students from The Register at Burlington High School used public records last year to write the story, but they were ordered to take the story down after the school principal demanded they do so. The students took down the story, but began a campaign to fight censorship.

Newspaper Honored for Sandy Hook Shooting Records Quest | Associated Press 2.10.19

The Courant will be honored at a Friday awards luncheon for its successful efforts to obtain information related to the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty first-graders and six teachers were killed. NEFAC executive director Justin Silverman says the newspaper brought to light details about shooter Adam Lanza that had been hidden in documents that state police kept secret.

Appeals Court Orders Release Of Jurors’ Names And Addresses | WBUR 2.6.19

Stearns had characterized the 1st Circuit’s rules as antiquated in the face of “a less innocent and more threatening age.” But Pyle and The New England First Amendment Coalition, which entered the case as amicus (“a friend of the court”) in support of WBUR, reported they could find no instances of jurors ever being adversely affected by having their names and addresses released by the court after trials had ended.

Fall River Mayor Took Wrong Cue with ‘Fake News’ Attack | The Providence Journal 2.4.19

“Public officials forfeit their right to complain about reporting when they hold a so-called news conference and refuse to answer questions,” said Tim White, a WPRI-12 investigative reporter and a member of the New England First Amendment Coalition board. “The mayor would serve himself and the people of Fall River better if he spent his energy being transparent, instead of creating a website that perpetuates the president’s attacks on journalism. Elected officials who lash out at reporters simply because they are unhappy with news coverage need to understand they are also attacking access to information that the people they represent have a right to know.” New England First Amendment Coalition Executive Director Justin Silverman said “fake news” is a loaded term — one used not to call out inaccurate reporting but to delegitimize journalism. “Newsrooms make mistakes and should be accountable when they do,” Silverman said. “It would have been entirely appropriate for Correia to discuss with the Herald News his concerns about the story and attempt to correct the record if it needed to be corrected. But he resorted to crying ‘fake news’ and attacking a journalist for doing her job. That doesn’t advance the truth. That doesn’t help the public get a better understanding of the story. That’s just spite toward the one reporting it.”

Video Shows Woman Hitting Cameras of Reporters; Expert Says, ‘No Excuse’ | Burlington Free Press 2.1.19

“We all have a right to stand on a sidewalk peacefully and record what’s going on in our public streets, whether we’re a journalist or not,” said Justin Silverman, the Executive Director of the New England First Amendment Coalition. “No one should be able to interfere with that.” … “I think the general sentiment against journalists is concerning,” Silverman said. “I think that there can be a real lack of understanding about how valuable the job of a journalist is and the public service it provides community.”

Free-Press Advocates Slam Ban on Coverage of BLM Flag Raising | WFFF-Burlington 2.1.19

Students plan to raise a Black Lives Matter flag at the outdoor event. But after publicizing the ceremony in a two-page press release, the school announced that members of the public — including reporters — would be restricted to an area across a busy road from the high school. On Friday, the New England First Amendment Coalition called on officials at South Burlington High to allow the news media access to the ceremony.

Courant Wins Top New England FOI Award | Hartford Courant 2.1.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition will honor the Courant with its 2019 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award. The award is presented annually to New England journalists who protect or advance the public’s right to know under federal or state law.

Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Media Access to Jurors | Providence Journal 1.22.19

New England First Amendment Coalition hailed the ruling as a victory. “Being able to interview jurors about public trials is essential for good government,” said Justin Silverman, the organization’s executive director. “The public needs the opportunity to better understand these cases whether the verdict is guilty, not guilty or it’s a hung jury.”

Condos: Cops Shouldn’t Charge Vermonters to View Body Camera Footage | Seven Days 1.22.19

The Vermont Journalism Trust, Vermont Press Association and the New England First Amendment Coalition will be filing briefs in support of Doyle later this week, the ACLU said in a Tuesday press release.

ACLU Has ‘Friends’ in its Fight to View Burlington Police Bodycam Footage | VTDigger 1.22.19

In addition, the The Vermont Journalism Trust, Vermont Press Association, and the New England First Amendment Coalition will be filing an amicus brief later this week. The Vermont Journalism Trust is VTDigger’s parent organization.

Publisher Joins Media Group In Opposing Courtroom Registration | Caledonian Record 1.19.19

Caledonian-Record publisher Todd Smith endorsed a letter from the New England First Amendment Coalition citing opposition to 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.

NEFAC Presents to Canadian Delegation, Expands First Amendment Education Program | InDepth NH 1.17.19

The New England First Amendment Coalition recently presented to a delegation of Canadian public officials interested in learning about U.S. constitutional law and civil liberties. “It was a great opportunity to share with those outside our borders the value of the First Amendment and why it is so important to this country,” said Gregory V. Sullivan, a member of NEFAC’s Board of Directors who spoke to the visiting group Jan. 15 at the Boston Foundation in Boston.

Open Court: NEFAC Comments on Media Registration and Recording in Court | Caledonian Record 1.16.19

In summary, we believe these changes are unnecessary as state courts already have adequate tools at their disposal to protect the privacy interests of witnesses and jurors. We are also uncomfortable with the court enforcing a registration process for journalists and defining who is and is not a member of the professional media — a definition that is drawn too narrowly and neglects the interests of academics, students and other researchers.

Taxpayer Cost of LePage’s Stay at Trump Hotel to Finally Be Released? | Portland Press Herald 1.7.19

“Right now the FOAA is a toothless thing that doesn’t impose any significant penalties,” says media law attorney Sigmund Schutz, who sits on the board of the New England First Amendment Coalition and represents the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in public records issues. “It was designed for a more innocent time perhaps when you had state agencies responding to and prioritizing public records requests.”