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New England First Amendment Coalition

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April 2025

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NEFAC Report Podcast

Public Commentary and Court Records

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NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan describes speech ordinances at open meetings in New Hampshire. Attorney Harrison Stark discusses our lack of online access to court records in Vermont and how that frustrates the public’s right to know.


▶ Listen to Episode 3

CivDoc and Search Warrants

Melanie Plenda, a NEFAC advisor and director of the Granite State News Collaborative, speaks about Civic Documenters. WBUR investigative reporter Todd Wallack discusses search warrant records in Massachusetts and the lack of access to them.


▶ Listen to Episode 4

Student Speech, Detentions

Detention of Tufts Student a Brazen Attack on First Amendment | The Berkshire Eagle


• Professor Groups Sue Feds, Claim Khalil Arrest and Visa Actions Created 'Climate of Fear' on Campuses | WBUR


• Pro-Palestinian Activists Under Increased Surveillance on Massachusetts Campuses | WGBH


• Mahmoud Khalil’s Case is Setting Up an Epic First Amendment Battle With Trump | The Guardian







When students face detention or deportation for lawful expression, it sends a message to all that the price of dissent is exile.


NEFAC's Justin Silverman and Josh Moore at the Student Press Law Center





Hybrid Meetings Massachusetts

• Legislature Should Preserve Open Government by Extending Remote Meeting Authorization | The Hull Times


• Beacon Hill Extending Pandemic-Era Policy of Remote Access to Public Meetings | CommonWealth Beacon


• Remote Meetings Extension Bill Shipped to Governor’s Desk | State House News Service




It’s a lot harder to ignore a constituent when they’re sitting directly in front of you in a meeting room, but not everyone has the ability to attend in person.


Christopher Haraden, Editor at the Hull Times



Other News We're Tracking

Trump Administration, First Amendment


• Judge Hears AP Suit Over White House Denial of Access | Vermont Community Newspaper Group


• Two Months Into Trump’s Second Administration, the News Industry Faces Challenges From All Directions | Associated Press


Trump Campaigned as a Protector of Free Speech. Critics Say His Actions as President Threaten It | Associated Press



Transparency, Free Speech in New Hampshire


• Judge Grants Nashua Officials' Motions to Dismiss Ortolano's Right-to-Know Complaints | NH Union Leader


• Judge Rules Nashua Had Right to Ban Pine Tree Flag; Plaintiffs to Appeal | NH Journal


• His Job is to Settle Fights Over Government Transparency. Some Say There's Room for Improvement. | NHPR

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 Conn. Media Group

Academy of New England Journalists

Northeastern University

WCVB-Boston