New England First Amendment Coalition

May 2025

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

Rhode Island

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

NEFAC's Mike Stanton, a former Rhode Island investigative journalist and current University of Connecticut professor, addressed the Senate Committee on the Judiciary during its May 22 hearing on S. 909.

“We’ve been told by legislative leaders that this isn’t really something of interest to other than reporters. They don’t hear it from your constituents,” Stanton testified on behalf of the coalition. “But of course your constituents are concerned about housing and health care and education. They also care about honest, effective and open government.”

▶ View Testimony

▶ Read Full Remarks

NEFAC Opposes Legislation That Could Criminalize Common Journalism Practices

The coalition expressed its opposition to a Rhode Island bill that would expand the definition of harassment in the state’s anti-stalking statute.

H. 5655 expands the definition to include "the act or acts of repeatedly following someone and using an electronic device to record their movements in any public or private place.”

NEFAC and the Rhode Island Press Association explained to lawmakers that:

“Journalists routinely follow newsworthy individuals — particularly government officials — in public with cameras or other electronic recording devices. Approaching these individuals in this manner is often the only way to ask important questions and seek accountability that would otherwise be evaded. It is also a practice protected by the First Amendment.”

▶ Read Full Testimony

New Hampshire

Manchester Adopts NEFAC Recommendations for Public Commentary During Hearings

The City of Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen recently voted to change its public participation policies to reflect recommendations made by the New England First Amendment Coalition.

“It is a matter of constitutional law,” explained NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan during the May 6 hearing. “The government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society or the government finds that idea or that speech offensive or disagreeable.”

NEFAC first called on city officials last year to revise its recently amended rules on public comments which prohibit profanity and uncivil expression, among other types of speech.

▶ View Full Discussion and Vote

ICYMI

▶ Proposed Rules for New Online R.I. Court System a Major Disappointment, Limit Public Access

▶ NEFAC, Press Freedom Advocates Urge Federal Court to Strike Down Presidential Executive Order Targeting Law Firm

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