First Amendment News
Recent Top Stories
Around New England
Hidden Emails a Continuing Embarrassment for Mayor Menino>> Read Boston Globe Coverage. Here. Here. Here. Here. And here.
US Supreme Court Rejects Diocese Plea to Keep Abuse Records Secret
The Boston Globe October 6, 2009
>>Several newspapers are seeking the release of more than 12,000 pages from 23 sexual assault lawsuits against six priests.
>>Read earlier articles.
Bridgeport Diocese to Appeal Order that it Make Public Priest Abuse Files
The Boston Globe July 18, 2009
>>Church has fought a public accounting of sexual assaults by priests since 2002
Swansea School Committeeman Charged Colleagues with Violating Open Meeting Law
The Herald News July 17, 2009
>>Members picked new school superintendent in private
In Northern New England, Officials Faulted for Faulty Financial Disclosure
NENPA July 2, 2009
>> Maine, NH and Vt ranked near bottom in national survey
Thanks to Legal Assistance from NU Law students and Bingham McCutchen LLC, First Amendment Center Wins its First Public Records Lawsuit
The Patriot Ledger June 18, 2009
>>Read the Superior Court order that Ledger be given the documents.
Read the series
New Mass. Ethics Reform Bill Weakens Open Meeting Law
Legaline June 26, 2009
>>Law weakens penalties for violators
Newton Officials Put Public Tour of $200 Million New High School Off-limits to Press
Media Nation June 25, 2009
>>City says new building is "private property"
Mass. Legislature Holds Public Access Hearings on Friday
Commonwealth of Massachusetts June 25, 2009
>>Transparency issues to get airing.
Read recent stories about this
Long Time Passing - Getting Public Officials in Massachusetts to Answer Emails
Commonwealth Magazine Spring, 2009
>>Study finds quick replies not always informative; and informative replies not always quick. Watertown Officials May Need Remedial Help With Public Records Law
Wicked Local Watertown May 13, 2009
>>Paper denied records that should be public.
City Councilors Violate Public Records Law by Texting
Telegram and Gazette May 8, 2009
>>Texts are public, but carriers quickly delete them.
Judge Orders Correction Department To Make Records Public
The Boston Globe May 15, 2009
>>Civil liberties union of Massachusetts wins lawsuit.
Maine Legislators Want to Privatize Public Employee Salary Information.
Kennebec Journal April 10, 2009
>>Bill hides names from list of state worker salaries.
Around the Nation
More Public Records Opened in Pa.-Chaos and Outrage AboundPhiladelphia Enquirer September 24, 2009
>>Be careful what you wish for?
ACORN Lawsuit Accuses Filmaker of Illegal Videotaping
The New York Times September 24, 2009
>>Also accused: Websites which posted video
Most Lobbyist Influence Remains Undisclosed
Associated Press September 17, 2009
>>Despite new law to shed light on the ties between lawmakers and influence brokers, most relationships remain hidden
Electronic Frontier Foundation Wins Release of Telecom Lobbying Records
eff.com September 24, 2009
Wisconsin High Court Overturns Law Intended To Hide Identities of Public Employees
Chicago Tribune July 15, 2009
>>Court says law flouts the state's public records statute
In New Orleans, Mayor's Email Records Vanished!
Nola.com July 1, 2009
>>Disappearance happened after TV station requested Nagin's emails
Virgina Governor's Travels are a State Secret
WTKR.com July 7, 2009
>>Gov. Kaine claims exemption from public records law
Feds Believe Colleges Go Overboard in Shielding Athletes' Information from Public View
The New York Times June 30, 2009
>>Study finds a host of ills are hidden
Judge Rules Shield Law Protects Journalists, not Bloggers
The Star Ledger July 3, 2009
>>Online rants not protected, says Judge
Delaware Legislature Sets Example For Massachusetts Counterparts
DelawareOnline.com June 3, 2009
>>Delaware Senate votes to let public see how the sausage gets made.
Federal Judge Rules to Make Guantanamo Bay Evidence Public
Reuters June 2, 2009
>>Rules against U.S. government request to keep records secret.
Florida Editor Says Government Salaries Should be Public
Sun Sentinel June 7, 2009
>>Too much overtime, too little accountability, he says.
Colorado Judge Chastises Secretive Ethics Commission
The Colorado Independent May 15, 2009
>>Orders records made public.
Virgina City Won't Disclose Cost of Court Settlement
The Daily Press May 5, 2009
>>Federal Judge impounded the settlement- at city's request.
US Appeals Court Perceives Conflict Between First Amendment and Texas Open Meeting Law
RCFP.org April 30, 2009
>>Ruling might privatize emails between public officials.
Goldman Sachs Hires Law Firm to Silence Critical Blog
The Telegraph April 11, 2009
>>The blog, entitled "Facts about Goldman Sachs" is run by a registered investment advisor in Florida.
Illinois Officials Try - Unsuccessfully - to Hide Salary Hikes
Northwest Herald April 10, 2009
>>Illinois Department of Transportation has attempted to block a FOIA request concerning raises given Jan. 1 under the Blagojevich administration.
Judge Directs SBA to Pay Legal Fees in FOIA Case
PRN Newswire April 16, 2009
>>The American Small Business League filed suit after the Small Business Administration failed to produce a list of firms awarded federal contracts in 2005 and 2006.
Obama Administration to Release Reagan and H.W. Bush Documents
National Archives April 10, 2009
>>Executive order has opened almost 250,000 pages that the Bush administration kept private.
Around the World
Switzerland's New Public Records Law Attracts Few RequestsSwissinfo.ch July 2, 2009
>>Study finds journalists remarkably incurious
In Britain, New Transparency Unearthed Scandal in Parliament
Telegraph May 17, 2009
>>MPs had sought to cut off access.
Related NY Times Story
Qatar a Leading Force for Press Freedom- To a Point
The Economist May 14, 2009
>>French press firebrand gets under royal skin.
Press Freedoms Curbed in Madagascar
Reuters AfricaMay 15, 2009
>>Military coup leaders can't stand criticism.
Government Transparency Gains a Foothold in Latin America
Freedominfo.org May 1, 2009
>>Chile and Guatemala opt for public access.
In Egypt, Authorities Seek to Squelch Growing Internet Dissent
Daily News Egypt April 6, 2009
>>The April 6 "day of anger" protest draws few after pressure from state security investigators.
>>>A history of the internet based strike