New England First Amendment Coalition

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September 2025

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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.

30 Minute Skills

Now Available to View

Immigration Reporting 101

Instructor: Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio | The Boston Globe

Whether you are pivoting to immigration-related issues as your sole beat or wondering how to incorporate it into your existing coverage, this lesson is the place to start. You'll learn:



• Who are helpful sources for your reporting.

• Where you can find immigration-related stories.

• Common challenges and how to address them.

▶ All Previous Lessons

Register Now for Upcoming Classes

▶ Sept. 29 | Start a Non-Profit Newsroom

▶ Oct. 20 | How to Start Your Own Podcast

▶ Nov. 6 | How to Network and Find Your Next Great Opportunity

Open Government

Beyond Public Records Law: Getting the Documents You Need in Your State

You made a public records request and were denied. You appealed the denial and again were told that the records you need are off limits. Meanwhile, your deadline is looming and a story needs to be written. What can you do when your state's public records law doesn't work in your favor and you find yourself out of options? Learn how local journalists got the records they needed when all else failed.

Connecticut

Len Besthoff

NBC Connecticut

Massachusetts

Brad Petrishen

Telegram & Gazette

Rhode Island

Steph Machado

The Boston Globe

Maine

Sawyer Loftus

Bangor Daily News

New Hampshire

Annmarie Timmins

NHPR

Vermont

Liam Elder-Connors

Vermont Public

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:

▶ Sept. 17 | Community College of Rhode Island

▶ Oct. 6 | Boston University

▶ Oct. 27 | Simmons University

▶ Oct. 28 | University of Massachusetts Amherst

▶ Nov. 13 | Massachusetts Association of Broadcasters Fall Conference