Learn more about misunderstood law during ‘HIPAA and Public Records’ online lesson

Learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, one of the most misunderstood laws, with instructor Adam A. Marshall, a senior staff attorney with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. “HIPAA and Public Records” is hosted by the New England First Amendment Coalition, as part of its 30 Minute Skills […]

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Local journalism and transparency laws are focus of Massachusetts Sunshine Week event

The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Medfield Insider, a local news organization, will host a panel discussion about local journalism and the need for transparency in Massachusetts. The Sunshine Week 2021 event is 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Friday, March 19. Panelists include media attorney Peter Caruso, Boston Globe health reporter Kay Lazar, Report […]

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Webinar to examine how citizens play a role in responsive government

The New England First Amendment Coalition and the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications are celebrating Sunshine Week with an online expert panel discussion called Keeping the Light On: Holding Government Accountable. Click here to read more or to register. […]

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Since Massachusetts public records overhaul, more towns turning to tech solutions to handle requests

A candidate for Framingham state representative was seeking a list of all city voters who applied for absentee ballots. A reporter wanted information about Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer’s expenses. Insurance companies are asking for police records of clients’ car accidents. The city of Framingham posts on its website a log of public records requests, along with the […]

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First Amendment scores a win in federal court

The First Amendment won a round in US District Court this week with a ruling that a 50-year-old Massachusetts law was never intended to apply to the recording of police or other government officials by activists or journalists. The ruling narrows considerably the scope of a law passed long before the invention of cell phones […]

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Environmentalists Concerned About Enforcement Transparency

The state’s most recent environmental compliance report reads more like a pitch to invest in Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management stock than a document of enforcement actions. And both the report and the agency’s growing lack of transparency has environmentalists concerned. For the three years immediately following Gov. Gina Raimondo’s election, the Department of […]

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