NEFAC Report

Justin Silverman

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First Amendment freedoms and government transparency. This is the foundation to a healthy democracy. Welcome to the NEFAC Report where we discuss your rights to free speech, freedom of the press and an open, accountable government. This program is produced by the New England First Amendment Coalition in partnership with Roger Williams University’s Communities of Hope.

05/14/2025

Student Journalism and ICE Detentions

Meghan Irons, NEFAC mentor and Boston University professor, describes the state of student journalism and its vital role in our communities. Mike Hiestand, senior legal counsel for the Student Press Law Center, discusses the detainment of a student op/ed writer by federal immigration authorities… and why this should alarm us all. Guest Bios and Contact Information Meghan Irons | mirons@bu.edu Mike Hiestand | mhiestand@splc.org Additional News and Resources Student Journalism NEFAC MentorsThe Increasingly Important Role of Student Journalists | East Bay Media GroupA Possible Role for Student Journalists and Student Journalism in Helping to Provide Communities with Local NewsICE Detentions and Student Press NEFAC, National First Amendment Groups Condemn Detention of Tufts University Student Op/Ed WriterDetention of Tufts Student is a Brazen Attack on the First Amendment | The DayWriting an Op-Ed is Not Grounds for Deportation | ACLU

23 min
04/17/2025

FOI Trends and Online Court Systems

Megan Rhyne at the National Freedom of Information Coalition describes troubling freedom of information trends throughout the country. Bangor Daily News reporter Sawyer Loftus discusses online access to Maine court records and how a promise made 10 years ago remains unfulfilled. Guest Bios and Contact Information Megan Rhyne | mrhyne@opengovva.orgSawyer Loftus | sloftus@bangordailynews.comAdditional News and Resources Open Government Trends National Freedom of Information CoalitionSunshine WeekSunshine Week 2025 | NEFACMuckRock Survey of FOIA Fees Points to Uneven Picture Across CountryBeast or Burden: Nuisance, Vexatious, or Burdensome Public Records Requests | NFOICMaine Online Court Record Access NEFAC to Maine Judicial Branch: Online Court Records System Broken, Needs Immediate FixMaine Has Spent Millions to Digitize Court Records — and They’re Still Mostly Not Online | Portland Press HeraldOnline Access to State Court Documents in Maine (video)Maine FOI Guide

26 min
04/03/2025

CivDoc and Search Warrants

Melanie Plenda, a NEFAC advisor and director of the Granite State News Collaborative, speaks about Civic Documenters, a program she launched with the coalition that supports newsrooms in New Hampshire. WBUR investigative reporter and NEFAC advisor Todd Wallack discusses search warrant records in Massachusetts, how the public’s access to them can be limited, and why that’s a problem. Guest Bios and Contact Information Melanie Plenda | melanie.plenda@collaborativenh.org Todd Wallack | twallack@bu.edu Additional News and Resources New Hampshire Civic Documenters Civic Documenters | NEFAC Introducing Civic Documenters: Empowering Communities to Strengthen Local News Coverage | NEFACHow Civic Documenters Empower Communities and Strengthen Local News Coverage (audio)Granite State News CollaborativeMassachusetts Search Warrant Records Improved Access to Search Warrant Records Needed in Massachusetts | NEFACBoston Police Failed to Arrest ‘Serial Rapist' for Years Despite DNA Evidence | WBUR

21 min
03/20/2025

Public Commentary and Court Records

NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan describes speech ordinances at open meetings in New Hampshire. He explains why such restrictions often conflict with our First Amendment rights and what NEFAC is doing in response. Attorney Harrison Stark discusses our lack of online access to court records in Vermont and how that frustrates the public’s right to know. Guest Bios and Contact Information Gregory V. Sullivan | g.sullivan@mslpc.net Harrison Stark | hstark@acluvt.org Additional News and Resources New Hampshire Speech Ordinances NEFAC, ACLU to City of Manchester: Change Unconstitutional Rules on Public CommentsNEFAC, ACLU to Nashua Officials: Repeal Unconstitutional Civility OrdinanceCivility and Government Meetings | NEFACVideo: New Hampshire Open Meetings and Public CommentaryVermont Court Records NEFAC, Vt. Open Government Advocates Recommend Changes to Court Records SystemVideo: Online Access to Vermont Court Documents

23 min
03/06/2025

Shield Laws and Connecticut FOIA

Attorney Jonathan Albano discusses a little-known controversy in the high-profile Karen Read murder trial and what reporter confidentiality protections exist in Massachusetts. Former NEFAC legal fellow Lindsey Vickers describes the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act and her experience trying to obtain public records under the law. Guest Bios and Contact Information Jonathan Albano | jonathan.albano@morganlewis.comLindsey Vickers | lindsvix@uw.eduAdditional News and Resources Reporter Confidentiality Protections in Massachusetts Reporter's Privilege Compendium | Reporters CommitteeThe Karen Read Case Shows Why We Need a Shield Law | Media NationStates Must Step Up to Protect Journalist-Source Confidentiality | Freedom of the Press FoundationPress Groups Argue Against Forced Disclosure of Reporter’s Notes in Karen Read Case | NEFACConnecticut Public Record Laws The Connecticut Freedom of Information ActConnecticut Public Records: Video Tutorials | NEFACConnecticut Public Records Law FAQs | NEFACNEFAC Connecticut FOI Guide

24 min
02/20/2025

Scanner Encryption and Police Reports

Investigative reporter Tim White discusses encrypted police scanners and how this growing practice is making it difficult for communities in Rhode Island to stay informed. Journalist Norah Hogan describes a tragedy in Bath, Maine, and how police there are keeping certain details about the investigation secret. Guest Bios and Contact Information Tim White | twhite@wpri.comNorah Hogan | norah.hogan@hearst.comAdditional News and Resources Police Scanner Encryption Police are Increasingly Encrypting Their Radios to Block Scrutiny By Journalists | TruthoutThe Wildly Popular Police Scanner Does Silent for Many | The New York TimesPolice Dodge Journalists By Encrypting Radio | Freedom of the Press FoundationEncryption Status of Police Channels in Providence CountyFully Encrypted Channels for Police Agencies in New EnglandCranston Police Department PolicyNEFAC Rhode Island FOI GuideInvestigation in Bath, Maine Police Heavily Redact Records From Two Domestic Violence Calls Made Just Days Before a Double Homicide | WMTWBath Mother, Daughter Killed in Murder-Suicide Remembered as Generous People | Portland Press HeraldOfficials Refuse to Release Information in Bath Double Murder | Times RecordNational Domestic Violence HotlineMaine Domestic Violence ResourcesNEFAC Maine FOI Guide

21 min

6 Episodes

First Amendment freedoms and government transparency. This is the foundation to a healthy democracy. Welcome to the NEFAC Report where we discuss your rights to free speech, freedom of the press and an open, accountable government. This program is produced by the New England First Amendment Coalition in partnership with Roger Williams University’s Communities of Hope.

Creator

Justin Silverman
Years Active

2K
Episodes

6
Rating

Clean
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© New England First Amendment Coalition 2025
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NEFAC Report