THE NEFAC REPORT | October 2015
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Globe Spotlight Team Opens NEFAI 2015, Stresses Need for Watchdog Journalism
Pulitzer Prize Winners Remind Fellows About Many Undetected Injustices That 'Await Your Good Reporting'
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 The fifth annual New England First Amendment Institute began on Oct. 18 with a reminder that investigative reporting is essential to democracy and there are grave injustices waiting to be exposed. The Boston Globe's Sacha Pfeiffer, Michael Rezendes and Walter V. Robinson opened the three-day institute - provided each year at no cost to 25 journalists by the New England First Amendment Coalition - and discussed their work as part of the paper's 2002 Spotlight Team investigation into the abuse of children by priests and the subsequent coverup by the Catholic Church. [More]
Other NEFAI News
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NEFAC and Open Government Advocates Call on R.I. Gov. to Promote Transparency
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Citing a recent "pattern of disturbingly inadequate" responses to public records requests "on truly critical matters of public import," five open government organizations have called on Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to issue an executive order that calls on state agencies to "adopt a strong presumption in favor of disclosure in addressing requests for public information." [More] [Additional Coverage]
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Forty Years of FOI in Connecticut
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With eroded powers and under continuing attack, Connecticut's first-of-a-kind Freedom of Information Act turned 40 earlier this month. After being involved in the fight for government transparency and accountability since 1975, I am often asked what are the most important issues facing those working to keep the government and its information open to the public. Unfortunately, many of the most critical issues involve trying to undo damage to the law done by our politicians and courts. [More]
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NEFAC Testifies in Favor of Proposed Mass. Shield Law; Bill Provides Clarity
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Though Massachusetts recognizes reporter privileges through common law, it is one of only 10 states that does not have a shield law. House Bill 1533 would provide "much needed clarity to the legal standard," said NEFAC's Robert Bertsche, an attorney at Prince Lobel Tye who spoke Oct. 6 on behalf of the coalition to the state's Joint Committee on the Judiciary. "It would also protect journalists from threatened jail time who refuse to give out their sources, except in extremely rare cases." [Additional Coverage]
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OTHER FOI AND FIRST AMENDMENT NEWS
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