NEFAC REPORT | May 2019
MAJOR SUPPORTERS
SPRING FUNDRAISER
Why support the New England First Amendment Coalition? Because freedom of the press is a cornerstone of American democracy protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. And it’s under attack. But we’re fighting back. We’re the region’s leading advocate for the First Amendment. And now — more than ever — we need your support. Please help us reach our $25,000 spring fundraiser goal by making a donation today.
Since 2011, I’ve served on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit New England First Amendment Coalition. We fight every day to: protect press freedom, enhance access to public records, provide First Amendment education, and explain the value of investigative watchdog reporting, such as The Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning exposé of clergy sex abuse. As a journalist and long-time editor of the Globe’s Spotlight Team, I can attest to the importance of the coalition’s work. I’ve seen it make a difference in newsrooms and communities throughout the region. [...]
As a member of the journalism faculty at Emerson College and the Cronkite School at Arizona State University, I know the value of education — and we need more of it in our communities. After serving as executive editor of The Providence Journal, I became president of NEFAC to help provide that First Amendment education. Our members have spoken at more than 40 locations since last year, preaching the value of First Amendment rights and explaining how local journalism is strengthening New England neighborhoods. [...]


A Bridgeport Police officer arrested Hearst Connecticut reporter Tara O’Neill earlier this month as she observed from a public sidewalk a gathering to commemorate the second anniversary of an officer-involved shooting that killed a 15-year-old resident.

In a letter to Bridgeport Police Department Chief of Police Armando Perez and city mayor Joseph Ganim, NEFAC called O’Neill’s arrest 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.” [...]

Additional Coverage


Gray Television, Inc., is seeking to unseal the decision which protected its station, WCAX-TV in Burlington, from being forced to comply with an inquest subpoena for all unpublished footage of a police-involved shooting. State authorities, however, argue the decision should remain sealed under the Vermont Public Records Law.

NEFAC released a statement in support of releasing the decision. [...]

Additional Coverage


FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE FREE PRESS

NEFAC's First Amendment Conversation Series Continues Throughout New England
NEFAC offers discussions on journalism and the First Amendment as part of its Featured Speaker Program, launched in January 2018 to help increase First Amendment education in high schools, college classrooms and community centers.

Since that time, the coalition has provided more than 40 public presentations and First Amendment programs to hundreds of citizens, most recently in Leominster and Dartmouth, Mass. Eleven more community conversations are planned for this spring and fall. Support this program at tinyurl.com/teach1A .

Additional Coverage



The New England First Amendment Coalition recently argued that a New York fair report privilege protects the publication of unverified allegations that are part of official proceedings, protects reports on non-public official investigations and protects reporting on documents subject, even in part, to government investigation.

The amici filed the brief in Gubarev v. BuzzFeed , a defamation action currently before the 11th Circuit. While not being heard in a New England jurisdiction, the case is of national importance. It arises from a 2017 BuzzFeed article that published the “Trump-Russia dossier,” also known as the “Steele dossier.” [...]

The Maine Freedom of Information Coalition recently expressed concern that bills intending to strengthen the Maine public record laws will instead weaken them.

The MFOIC is a group of media organizations and open government advocates — including NEFAC — that work together to strengthen Maine freedom of information laws.

The coalition testified to the shortcomings of LD 1575 and LD 1414 at a May 1 public hearing. The legislation would redefine what records are considered public under the state’s Freedom of Access Act. [...]

Additional Coverage


SPONSORED
UPCOMING NEFAC PRESENTATIONS


JUNE 4
Shrewsbury Public Library | Shrewsbury, Mass.

JUNE 4
Sharon Public Library | Sharon, Mass.

JUNE 6
Wanskuck Library | Providence, R.I.

JUNE 17
Cranston Public Library | Cranston, R.I.

JUNE 26
Olneyville Public Library | Providence, R.I.

SEPTEMBER 25
First Amendment and the Free Press
Saugus Public Library | Saugus, Mass. | Speakers TBA


REGIONAL/NATIONAL

Julian Assange, Espionage Act


First Amendment, Public Opinion


Press Freedom Day


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CONNECTICUT

State Police, Transparency


SLAPP Suits


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MAINE



MASSACHUSETTS

Secret Courts, Public Records


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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Laurie List Disclosure


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RHODE ISLAND



VERMONT

Public Records, Attorney Fees


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