NEFAC, ACLU to City of Manchester: Change Unconstitutional Rules on Public Comments | Officials recently prohibited profanity and uncivil expression, among other types of speech, in violation of state and federal constitutions. “Categories of speech such as profanity and vulgarity are protected by the First Amendment and cannot be reasonably restricted during such meetings,” NEFAC and the ACLU explained.
NEFAC to R.I. Open Government Summit Attendees: Be Responsible Gatekeepers | “You all have an enormous responsibility that I deeply appreciate and respect as a reporter,” said Colleen Cronin, a reporter for ecoRI and a member of NEFAC’s Rhode Island team. “You work at the front lines of access and have exposed inefficiencies and corruption and held those who have misused power accountable. I hope that you will continue to act as accessible gatekeepers.”
NEFAC to Maine Judicial Branch: Online Court Records System Broken, Needs Immediate Fix | “Put simply, this new policy conflicts with the court’s own rules and long-standing stated policy objectives. It also appears to conflict with First Amendment and common law presumptions of access to public court records. With a few narrow exceptions, court rules require the same access to records online as is given at courthouses.”
NEFAC, Mass. Open Government Groups Continue to Push for Hybrid Meeting Requirements | In a July 23 letter to Representatives Ron Mariano, Aaron Michlewitz and Tony Cabral, the advocates explained that “hybrid access remains a critical way to ensure that all people — especially people with disabilities, people with caregiving responsibilities, and people with limited transportation — can follow and participate in government activity that directly impacts their lives.”
NEFAC Meets with R.I. Attorney General to Discuss Open Government Concerns | NEFAC and representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, including Attorney General Peter Neronha, discussed topics including legislation to reform the state’s Access to Public Records Act, the use of fines to discourage violations of the public records law and additional improvements that could be made to the office’s database of open government decisions.
14th Annual Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute Applications Available | Named after the late trail-blazing Boston Globe journalist, the Negri Institute (formerly the New England First Amendment Institute) is an annual, multi-day, intensive training program on freedom of information law and investigative reporting techniques. It is offered each year exclusively to 25 working New England journalists. Learn more about the Institute and how you can apply.
NEFAC President Discusses Drone Use, Privacy Rights | “In order for someone to have a claim for wrongful invasion of privacy, there first has to be a reasonable expectation of privacy,” said New England First Amendment Coalition president Gregory Sullivan. “So pretty much anything that occurs in public is fair game.” Unless the photographer is trespassing or using a telephoto lens to take photos of a private space, most videography is considered protected speech.
NEFAC Impact Report | Our coalition made an impact throughout the region by protecting First Amendment freedoms and the public’s right to know about government. NEFAC’s commentary appeared in publications across the country and we led dozens of workshops and classes. We presented to diplomats and reporters from 14 different nations and our state-based advocacy teams met nearly 60 times to fight on your behalf.
Connecticut Resident Daniel Dunn to Receive NEFAC’s Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award | As a member of the Police Oversight Commission in Hamden, Conn., Dunn increased public access to police records. When Dunn discovered that some law enforcement records were illegally destroyed, he worked to synthesize important information using the remaining records and he successfully appealed a public records case against the town.
Maine Trust for Local News to Receive NEFAC’s 14th Annual Freedom of Information Award | Maine Trust for Local News — which includes publications such as the Sun Journal, Portland Press Herald and Kennebec Journal — fought relentlessly for information about the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston. Reporters faced enormous and consistent resistance by Maine State Police who attempted to block access to information about how they responded.
NEFAC Meets with Providence Police Department to Explore Better Access to Information | During the meeting, NEFAC and city officials discussed ways to improve time-sensitive communication between the Providence Police Department and local journalists, how to make the public record requests process more timely and streamlined, and ways to avoid unnecessary redactions to body camera footage requested under the Access to Public Records Act.
NEFAC to Honor Sarah-Ann Shaw, Pioneering Journalist and Community Advocate, with Annual First Amendment Award | “Sarah-Ann personified the First Amendment,” NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan said. “She was a pioneering journalist who inspired many younger media professionals in New England newsrooms. She worked throughout her life to tell stories that would otherwise go untold and to advocate relentlessly for those in her community.”
State Open Meeting Laws and Remote Access | The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new classes on remote and hybrid access to government meetings. The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s growing library of open meeting law classes which can be viewed here. They will be taught by local experts who will provide an overview of their respective state’s law and what changes are being considered.
Maine Gov. Mills Administration Looks to Charge More Than $1,000 for Public Travel Records | Want to know where the governor is traveling and at what expense? It’s going to cost you. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spoke with WGME’s Dan Lampariello. “This information is of great public interest,” Silverman said. “It sheds a light on where the governor is going, how much money is being spent on these trips, whether these trips will even benefit the state of Maine.”