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New England First Amendment Coalition

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March 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.

Your Right to Record

Connecticut

March 19 | 10 a.m. ET | Online

Instructor: Dan Barrett | NEFAC and ACLU Connecticut

This class will provide an in-depth overview of your right to record video or take photographs of government officials and documents. By attending this class, you'll learn about:

Recording open meetings.
Recording and taking photos of public buildings.
When, if ever, public officials have a right to privacy.
Recording and taking photos during court proceedings.
Taking photos of public records, including court documents.

▶ March 25 | Massachusetts

▶ March 31 | Rhode Island

Student Press Freedom Day

NEFAC, National Press Groups Celebrate Student Journalism and Its Role in Local News

Student Press Freedom Day — February 27 this year — is an annual occasion to raise awareness of the challenges student journalists face and to celebrate their contributions to local news.

NEFAC offers student journalists many resources to help with their reporting in New England schools. In addition to providing direct access to media attorneys and mentors, the coalition provides tutorials on public records, open meetings and court access. We also lead monthly 30 Minute Skills lessons to address many student newsroom needs.

▶ Learn More about Student Press Freedom Day

▶ Read 2024 Op/Ed By NEFAC President Justin Silverman and SPLC Assistant Director Josh Moore

Sunshine Week

Keeping the Light On: Holding Government Accountable in New Hampshire

March 10 | 5:30 p.m. ET | Online

In honor of Sunshine Week, NEFAC and the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications will be examining the values of open and responsive government.

The conversation will be moderated by Annmarie Timmins, reporter at NH Public Radio. Panelists include Gilles Bissonnette, legal director at the ACLU of New Hampshire; Emily Gray Rice, City Solicitor for the city of Manchester; and NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan, a media attorney at Malloy & Sullivan and Loeb School board member.

30 Minute Skills

How to Cover Marginalized Communities

Instructor: Auditi Guha | VTDigger

Often the stories of marginalized communities are the least likely to be told. By viewing this class, you’ll learn:

Steps to take when covering a marginalized community for the first time.
How to understand a community’s culture and customs ahead of your reporting.
Considerate ways to overcome obstacles in your reporting while still empowering your sources.

▶ View All Previous Lessons

▶ March 26 | Education Reporting 101

▶ April 8 | Writing Workshop 101

▶ May 13 | Writing Workshop 102

▶ June 12 | Broadcast Journalism 101

▶ Oct. 20 | How to Start Your Own Podcast

First Amendment and the Free Press

The Right to Criticize: Revisiting New York Times v. Sullivan and Modern Libel Law

NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently discussed the landmark New York Times v. Sullivan decision, examining its profound impact on press freedom and the critical protections it provides against libel claims.

Presented as part of the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications winter curriculum, the class focused on how the ruling safeguards public discourse, as well as why these protections are facing growing challenges in today’s political landscape.

▶ Request an Instructor for Your Next Class or Program