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FIRST AMENDMENT
OF U.S. CONSTITUTION 
Congress shall make 
no law respecting an establishment of religion, 
or prohibiting the free 
exercise thereof; or 
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; 
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, 
and to petition the 
Government for a 
redress of grievances.

ABOUT NEFAC 

2015 MAJOR SUPPORTERS 









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LEARN ABOUT OUR ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT INSTITUTE







NEFAC'S ANNUAL 
NEW ENGLAND FIRST AMENDMENT AWARDS








SUNSHINE WEEK 2015









FILE FREE FOI REQUEST

We welcome contributions 
to The NEFAC Report from journalists, lawyers, academics 
or other advocates of 
government transparency. If 
you have something to add 
to the conversation, please let 
us know. Your stories, experiences and commentaries have broad appeal and value.
 
Submissions can be emailed to: [email protected]



 
"It's a basic First Amendment constitutional right for the public to observe what goes on in the courtroom. 
That principle cannot be compromised in any situation."

NEFAC's Peter Caruso, Sr., in the Salem News responding to a judge's recent order to bar the press from hearing testimony in the murder trial of Philip Chism.




"We are outnumbered. The rise of PR and the decline of watchdog journalism should be a serious concern for the public. The goals of the news media and the PR industry are often at odds. Rather than trying to put the best face on things for the government, the news media are obligated to act as a watchdog."

Justin Silverman, NEFAC's executive director, in The Providence Journal discussing the increase of public relations positions compared to the decrease in journalism jobs.




"Rhode Island is one of just six states nationwide that won't disclose any information about consumer complaints received by key consumer protection agencies such as the Attorney General's Office. It is also the only New England state that keeps these records from public view.
"

NEFAC blogger Fran Silverman of Truth in Advertising discussing a recent report on state consumer complaint disclosure policies.

 NEFAC REPORT | December 2015
2016 New England First Amendment Awards
Sen. Leahy
Featuring U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont
Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award Winner

February 19, 2016 | 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. | Boston Park Plaza | 50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street | Boston, Mass. | Purchase Tickets

Deadlines Extended: Freedom of Information Award Applications and Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award Nominations Due Jan. 15 | More Info

NEFAC News
Help Provide the Power of Information, Support Investigative Journalism
Our mission is to help the public learn about its government and hold its leaders accountable. It's about not only recognizing high-profile First Amendment all-stars but also the many citizens throughout New England who are challenged in their pursuit of information. We need your help providing them the tools to overcome these challenges. Please consider a year-end contribution to NEFAC. [More] [Donate]

Blog
Report: Rhode Island Consumer Complaint Policy Clouds New England's Sunshine 
Consumer complaints filed against businesses can provide valuable information for both journalists and customers on how a company operates and treats its patrons. But not all New England states make this information filed with state consumer protection agencies readily available, according to a recently released report by Connecticut-based ad watchdog truthinadvertising.org[More]

With Massachusetts Public Records, 
Reform is in Everyone's Interest 
With legislation intended to reform the Massachusetts public records law expected to be addressed soon by the state Senate, a group not often associated with the effort recently emphasized the importance of transparency beyond the interests of attorneys and journalists. The Massachusetts Genealogical Council - representing genealogists, historical societies, librarians and researchers concerned with records preservation and free and unfettered access to civil records - hosted a panel to discuss the value of public records. [More] [Additional Coverage]

Other FOI and First Amendment News
    National
    Connecticut
            Public Records, Teacher Evaluations
    Maine
    Massachusetts
            Champa v. Weston Public Schools
            PublicRecordsPublic Records Reform
    New Hampshire 
    Rhode Island

             APRA, Toll Locations
            Panhandling, Free Speech
           Public Records, Police Reports
    Vermont