New England First Amendment Coalition | | | | 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. | | Meet NEFAC's 2025 Negri Institute Fellows | | |
Named after the late trail-blazing Boston Globe journalist, the Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute (formerly the New England First Amendment Institute) is an annual, multi-day, intensive training program on freedom of information law and investigative reporting techniques.
NEFAC is pleased to welcome a cohort of fellows — 25 professional journalists and seven students — for its 15th annual Institute.
| | FRONTLINE's Raney Aronson-Rath and VTDigger Editor-in-Chief Geeta Anand to Provide Keynotes | | |
Raney Aronson-Rath is the editor-in-chief and executive producer of FRONTLINE, PBS’ flagship investigative journalism documentary series produced at GBH in Boston. Aronson-Rath oversees FRONTLINE’s acclaimed reporting, and directs the series’ editorial vision — executive producing more than 20 in-depth documentaries each year on critical issues facing the country and the world.
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Geeta Anand is editor-in-chief of VTDigger and a former reporter for The Boston Globe. A Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author, Anand’s career includes nearly 30 years of investigative and public service journalism. Before joining VTDigger, she served as dean of the University of California Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and worked as a foreign correspondent for multiple newsrooms.
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★ Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award
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John King, CNN anchor and Chief National Correspondent, is perhaps best known for his Election Night use of the network’s iconic “Magic Wall.” Beyond his reporting, he’s also a vocal advocate for press freedom and the importance of transparency and accountability in journalism. King frequently discusses the role journalism plays in a democracy and is candid about where newsrooms and media personalities can improve.
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★ Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award
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Through extensive document gathering, data analysis, and old-fashioned beat reporting, The Boston Globe produced “State Secrets,” a multi-part series last year that painted a troubling picture of how lax rules, secretive practices, and undemocratic habits make the Massachusetts Legislature a feast for special interests and a mystery to the general public it is sworn to serve.
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★ Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award
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For years, Laurie Ortolano has fought for information about Nashua, New Hampshire, and how those in government are making decisions on behalf of residents. She has been involved in more than 15 lawsuits against the city. These lawsuits resulted in the release of previously undisclosed records, the awarding of attorneys’ fees and costs, and a requirement that city employees undergo training.
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Katherine Revello at the Connecticut Inside Investigator is a frequent challenger of improper state Freedom of Information Act requests, which she is often able to resolve without legal proceedings. Responding to continued pushback, however, she has pursued multiple appeals to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission.
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Journalists across the country are increasingly seeking alternative ways to inform their communities while maintaining financial stability. During the last several years, we have seen a rise in the number of non-profit newsrooms. Is this path right for you? By viewing this lesson, you'll learn:
• The difference between for-profit and non-profit organizations.
• The initial steps required to form a non-profit entity.
• Other considerations that may be helpful before beginning the process.
| | Register Now for Upcoming Classes | | First Amendment and the Free Press | Oct. 27 | 12 p.m. ET | Simmons University, Boston | |
Freedom of the press, access to public records, and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are the tools that keep governments accountable and democracy strong. How can students, journalists, and everyday citizens step up to protect and exercise these freedoms?
Hear from NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman for a crash course on the First Amendment and the importance of press freedom in your daily life. Explore real cases and landmark battles with NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan in an open Q&A on the legal side of press rights and what's at stake for the future of free expression.
| NEFAC Discusses First Amendment at Community College of Rhode Island, Boston University | |
Edward Fitzpatrick, a reporter for The Boston Globe and member of NEFAC's Board of Directors, recently led a discussion on the First Amendment, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press at the Community College of Rhode Island. Justin Silverman, the coalition's executive director, met with students at Boston University to discuss challenges facing journalists and those seeking government transparency.
| Upcoming Campus Visits and Presentations | | |
The NEFAC Community can be seen throughout the region with expert speakers regularly presenting in classrooms, town centers and on college campuses. Email NEFAC’s Justin Silverman at justin@nefac.org to schedule a guest speaker for your event.
Here's where you can find us:
▶ Oct. 27 | Simmons University
▶ Oct. 28 | University of Massachusetts Amherst
▶ Nov. 13 | Massachusetts Association of Broadcasters Fall Conference
| | 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, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the following Leadership Circle donors ($10,000+) and Major Supporters ($2,500-$9,999):
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LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Rhode Island Foundation
The Boston Globe
Paul and Ann Sagan
The Robertson Foundation
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MAJOR SUPPORTERS
Boston University
Hearst Connecticut Media Group
Academy of New England Journalists
WCVB-Boston
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