New England First Amendment Coalition

June 2025

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NEFAC Executive Director Calls Out Lack of Transparency in New Bedford, Massachusetts

“If sunshine is said to be the best of disinfectants, there appears to be a sky of clouds shadowing the city,” Executive Director Justin Silverman wrote in an op-ed for the New Bedford Light. “A look at recent legal action, reporter experiences and appeals of public records requests all indicate a culture of secrecy.”

▶ Read Op-Ed

After Tragic Death of Kindergarten Student, NEFAC Again Asks Mass. Attorney General to Allow Release of Driver Records

In the case of Lens Arthur Joseph, the 5-year-old student killed after exiting his school bus on April 28, there is little known about the bus driver’s history, explained NEFAC in a recent follow-up letter to Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. Reporting shows multiple warning signs about the driver’s competency yet RMV officials will not provide his record because of a misinterpretation of a new state law.

▶ Read June 27 Letter

NEFAC's Mike Stanton Advocates for Less Secrecy, More APRA Reform in Rhode Island

“These common sense changes to Rhode Island’s open-records law can help increase lagging public confidence in our government,” wrote NEFAC’s Mike Stanton in a Boston Globe op-ed. “My hope is that Rhode Island House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, who has not allowed this bill a committee vote the past two years, and new Senate President Valarie Lawson, in an early test of her leadership, will stand up to the Governor and allow this bill to come to a vote.”

▶ Read Op/Ed

ICYMI

▶ Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen Votes Adopt NEFAC Recommendations, Remove Public Comment Limits

▶ NEFAC Opposes Rhode Island Bill That Could Criminalize Common Journalism Practices

▶ NEFAC Testifies in Support of Practical, Common-Sense Public Records Law Reform in Rhode Island

Thank You to Our Supporters

NEFAC appreciates the support of all its donors and contributors. In particular, we would like to recognize the Estate of Gloria L. Negri and the following Leadership Circle donors ($10,000+) and Major Supporters ($2,500-$9,999):

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Rhode Island Foundation

The Boston Globe

Paul and Ann Sagan

The Robertson Foundation

MAJOR SUPPORTERS

Boston University

Hearst Connecticut Media Group

Academy of New England Journalists

Northeastern University

WCVB-Boston