New England First Amendment Coalition

Subscribe | Archives

February 2025

If you enjoy reading this newsletter, please forward it to a colleague or friend. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, please subscribe!

We Want to Hear From You!

As a member of the NEFAC Community, you are in the company of journalists, academics and other fans of the First Amendment and open government. We look forward to seeing you at our events and hearing from you about our programs.

First Amendment

NEFAC, Loeb School Offering New Classes on Open Government and Constitutional Law

What the Government is Up To and Your Right to Know

February 12 | 6:30 p.m. ET

Instructor: Gregory V. Sullivan, NEFAC President

This class is an introduction to New Hampshire’s Right to Know Law, allowing students to go deeper into the law with real case examples, and stories ripped from the headlines. Your instructor will also walk you through the ways in which you can file your own requests to local, state and federal government agencies to seek information.

Your Right to Criticize: Revisiting Times v. Sullivan

March 6 | 11 a.m. ET

Instructor: Justin Silverman, NEFAC Executive Director

This class will cover an in-depth exploration of one of the most influential cases in First Amendment law. This session revisits the landmark New York Times v. Sullivan decision, examining its profound impact on press freedom and the critical protections it provides against libel claims. Participants will gain insights into how the ruling safeguards public discourse, as well as why these protections face growing challenges in today’s legal and political landscape. This class is particularly valuable for journalists, local government officials, public relations professionals, and others whose work intersects with public communication and the free exchange of ideas.

30 Minute Skills

Business Reporting 101

Instructor: Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe

All journalists — whatever their beat — should think of themselves as business journalists. By viewing this class, you’ll learn:

• How to begin a business beat or start incorporating business journalism practices into your current beat.
• Where to find stories and sources.
• How to localize national and global business stories.

▶ View All Previous Lessons

Register Now for Upcoming Classes

▶ Feb. 18 | Covering Marginalized Communities

▶ April 8 | Writing Workshop 101

▶ May 13 | Writing Workshop 102

▶ June 12 | Broadcast Journalism 101

First Amendment and the Free Press

NEFAC Speaks to K-12 Students About Government, First Amendment Freedoms

The New England First Amendment Coalition recently visited the South Shore Charter Public School in Norwell, Mass. NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan spoke to students at the school about the First Amendment and open government.

The coalition frequently speaks to students of all grade levels about their civil rights and the importance of an open and accountable government.

▶ Learn More About the First Amendment and the Free Press

▶ Contact Us to Reserve a Guest Speaker

More Events and Presentations

The NEFAC Community can be seen throughout the region with expert speakers regularly presenting in classrooms, town centers and on college campuses. Here's where else you can find us:

▶ April 29 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | First Amendment and the Free Press