New England First Amendment Coalition
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nefac.bsky.social
New England First Amendment Coalition
@nefac.bsky.social
NEFAC is the region’s leading defender of First Amendment freedoms and government transparency — the foundation of a healthy democracy. How you can support our work: http://nefac.org/support
#OpenGov advocates in Mass. are up against a deadline. By Nov. 19 they need more than 74,000 signatures to secure a spot for two questions on the 2026 ballot. NEFAC's Justin Silverman spoke to Isabelle Oss about why it's so difficult to require more transparency.
newbedfordlight.org/massachusett...
November 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan recently discussed the #FirstAmendment and legal practice at Suffolk University Law School. Learn how you can reserve a guest speaker for your next class or event: nefac.org/1afreepress/
November 12, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The Vassalboro Sanitary District is being accused of failing to comply with the state public access and records law over the past two years. NEFAC's Justin Silverman spoke to the Kennebec Journal about why it can be difficult to hold officials accountable.

www.centralmaine.com/2025/11/09/v...
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
NEFAC's Justin Silverman recently visited the University of Massachusetts Amherst to speak with several classes about the First Amendment and journalism. Big thanks to the faculty for coordinating our visit! Need an expert speaker for your class or event? Learn more here: nefac.org/1afreepress/
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
In this month's First Amendment and Sunshine News newsletter:

- Open Government in Connecticut
- Public Records and Schools
- Social Media, Free Speech
- Immigration Transparency
- Federal Threats to Press, Right to Know

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/47ZFlVZ
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Join us tomorrow to discuss ways journalists (and journalism students) can best position themselves for a successful career or professional transition. Comment below with any questions or topics you would like Kevin to address👇 and remember to register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism
November 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Register now for upcoming lessons on state public records laws, vibe coding, and networking for journalists. We hope to see you there! conta.cc/43PJyce #opengov #FirstAmendment #journalism
November 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
In this month's Advocacy newsletter:

- NEFAC Continues Mass. Open Meeting Law Reform Advocacy, Pushes for Required Hybrid Access

- Coalition Fights Secrecy in Succession Actor’s N.H. DUI Case, Argues for Arrest Records Release

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/4oK7GFj
October 31, 2025 at 1:40 PM
A big thank you to the team at Simmons University for hosting a half-day conference on the #FirstAmendment and #opengov earlier this week. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman joined coalition president Gregory V. Sullivan and Beryl Lipton at @eff.org to lead discussions.
October 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Registration now open! Come join us for an update on #RhodeIsland #publicrecords law with @johnmarion.bsky.social at @commoncauseri.bsky.social. Learn more and register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #opengov
October 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Read this month's Commentary and Coverage newsletter: conta.cc/3W8OBk8 #journalism #opengov #FirstAmendment
October 29, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Join us today for a podcasting lesson with Edward Fitzpatrick at The Boston Globe and producer Megan Hall us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism
October 20, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Come join us at Simmons University on October 27!
October 15, 2025 at 4:59 PM
NEFAC Fights Secrecy in Succession Actor’s DUI Case, Argues for Release of N.H. Arrest Records nefac.org/news/nefac-f... #opengov
October 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
In this month's Community newsletter:

- Meet NEFAC's 2025 Negri Institute Fellows
- Learn About Our 2025 New England First Amendment Award Honorees
- View: How to Start a Non-Profit Newsroom
- Register: How to Start Your Own Podcast

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/4mYqxeD
October 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
New Bedford police are investigating how a man who was arrested last week came into possession of an officer’s firearm. The initial police report, however, lacked any information about the weapon's connection to the officer. youtu.be/snoDCj-yQjg?... @wpri12.bsky.social #opengov
October 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A firefighter has been sanctioned by his department after making a Facebook post about the death of Charlie Kirk. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spoke with Brooke Kushwaha at @newbedfordlight.bsky.social about public employees and free speech.

newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...
October 9, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Rhode Island and Mass. Students to Attend 15th Annual Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute nefac.org/news/rhode-i...

👏 👏 👏 Sadie Brandt, Luke Macannuco, Addison Mason, Adam Nuñez, Anna Rubenstein, Emily Spatz and Timothy Yean 👏 👏 👏
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spoke to @nancyklavin.bsky.social at the Rhode Island Current about the benefits — and pitfalls — of reporting leaked information.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/06/a...
October 7, 2025 at 1:14 PM
In this month's First Amendment and Sunshine News newsletter:

- First Amendment, Charlie Kirk
- New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law
- Non-Citizen Student Speech, Detention
- Future of Free Speech
- Trump Administration, Press Freedom

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/46ze8Jg
October 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A Boston federal judge recently upheld the First Amendment rights of noncitizen protestors. NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan explained to The Daily Free Press why the opinion is a “brilliant and courageous” vindication of First Amendment rights. dailyfreepress.com/10/05/20/214...
October 6, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Nashua Resident Laurie Ortolano to Receive NEFAC’s Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award nefac.org/news/nashua-... #opengov
October 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
October 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Our 15th annual Negri Institute is almost underway. All our fellows met last night via Zoom to introduce themselves before local #opengov workshops begin next week. If you haven't met our 2025 fellows, you can learn about them here: nefac.org/news/meet-ne... #journalism
October 2, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The Boston Globe to Receive NEFAC’s Michael Donoghue FOI Award for ‘State Secrets’ Series nefac.org/news/the-bos... #opengov #journalism 👏👏👏
October 2, 2025 at 1:45 PM