WINTER FUNDRAISER
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DONATE TODAY AND RECEIVE FREE COPY |
For 11 years, the New England First Amendment Coalition has been the leading regional voice for protecting press freedoms and the public's right to know about its government. NEFAC has advocated relentlessly for your First Amendment rights and we've accomplished a lot. Due to a generous donation by the American Bar Association, anyone who contributes $100 or more to the New England First Amendment Coalition before Jan. 1 will receive a free copy of "The Progeny," by Lee Levine and Stephen Wermiel.
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The Freedom of Information Award is given each year to a New England
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NEW ENGLAND
FIRST AMENDMENT
AWARDS
February 23, 2018
12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Renaissance Boston
Waterfront Hotel
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journalist or team of journalists for a body of work from the previous
calendar year that protects or advances the public's right to know under federal or state law. Preference is given to those who overcome significant official resistance.
[...] [Nomination Form]
The Citizenship Award is given to an individual from one of the New England states who has fought for information crucial to the public's understanding of its community or what its government is doing - or not doing - on its behalf. The candidate should have shown tenacity or bravery in the face of difficulty while obtaining information that the public has a right to know. [...] [Nomination Form]
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MAINE
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DEC. 15 LETTER |
Under a proposal being considered by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, most members of the public would still only be able to obtain court records by visiting individual courthouses. "Providing online access to only attorneys and litigants, as is being recommended, undermines the ability of all Maine residents to learn about their government and to keep its judicial system accountable," wrote Justin Silverman, NEFAC's executive director, in comments submitted to the court on Dec. 15.
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The Dec. 7 program followed months of sexual harassment accusations against public figures throughout the country. Speakers included NEFAC's Robert A. Bertsche, an attorney at Prince Lobel Tye; Jenn Abelson of The Boston Globe; Devra First of The Boston Globe; attorney Mitchell Garabedian; Kay Lazar of The Boston Globe; and Diana Mancera of Jane Doe, Inc.
[...] [
Photos] [
Storify]
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BLOG - EDWARD FITZPATRICK
The bayonet scar on Omar Bah's left hand reminds him of the dangers faced by journalists worldwide.
The scar reminds him of what dictators and other authoritarian leaders think of a free press.
The scar reminds him of how crucial it is for the United States to stand as a beacon of press freedom and democracy.
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BLOG - MAINE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION
The Maine Freedom of Access Act does not require that state agencies adopt policies describing their process for responding to requests for public records, but many have chosen to spell out exactly how they handle such requests. To assess how many agencies have policies, whether their policies adhere to the requirements of the FOAA, and to identify areas for improvement, the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition asked state government for copies of all applicable FOAA policies.
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BLOG - EDWARD FITZPATRICK
"We are letting a small group of companies play gatekeeper and determine whether it is our voice heard and our words read," said Justin Silverman, NEFAC's executive director. "This should terrify anyone who values democracy and the free flow of ideas. With an unfettered internet, we all have a soapbox."
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OTHER FOI AND FIRST AMENDMENT NEWS
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REGIONAL / NATIONAL
Trump, Press
Net Neutrality
Campus Speech
Campus Access
Trump Administration, FOIA
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Wiretapping Statute, Journalism
Public Records Law
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Political Speech
Panhandling, First Amendment
Right to Know Law
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Public Records Law
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