NENPA remains dedicated to serving the daily, weekly and specialty publications throughout New England during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have created this dedicated resource page where we are continuously compiling guidelines, safety advisories and other information sources that support journalists and news organizations. If you know of other resources, or have created something that could be helpful to other newsrooms, please send us feedback – questions, comments and requests on ways that we can help you!

Applications open for NH High School Student Journalism Award

The Brodsky Prize was established seven years ago by the late Jeffrey Brodsky and his father, Howard, to encourage innovation by student journalists. The $5,000 Prize is open to all high school students attending...

How AI is Revolutionizing News Production on March 23

The clatter of typewriters may be a distant memory, but the news industry is once again on the cusp of a major transformation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly making its way into newsrooms, promising...

Shine a Light on Open Government: Get Involved in Sunshine Week March 10-16

During Sunshine Week, March 10-16, 2024, we are encouraging your participation in this national initiative celebrating open government and the public's right to know. Sunshine Week is a crucial time to remind our communities about...
Mar
21
Thu
Maine: Accessing Police Misconduct Records
Mar 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The New England First Amendment Coalition is continuing its freedom of information lessons with new free classes on how to obtain police misconduct records in Maine. The lessons build on the information provided in NEFAC’s growing library of public records classes. They will be taught by local journalists and attorneys who will provide an overview of their respective state’s law and explain how misconduct records can be accessed.
Apr
10
Wed
No Paywall, No Membership: No Problem!
Apr 10 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

During this webinar, Mike Shapiro, founder and CEO of TAPinto, an award-winning network of more than 95 franchised local news platforms, will counter the narrative that a local news site needs to have a paywall or membership, and that advertising alone cannot support a local news site. He will discuss how TAPinto sites have been able to achieve profitability and long-term sustainability without paywalls or membership.

Specifically, you’ll learn about TAPinto’s unique revenue platforms that have enabled sites in the network to achieve six-figure incomes, revenue platforms that you can create for your own publication.

Apr
16
Tue
NEFAC 30 Minute Skills – Climate Reporting
Apr 16 @ 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

According to a recent article in Nieman Reports, “everyone is a climate reporter now.” For many newsrooms throughout New England, climate coverage is considered a separate beat. But as severe and extreme weather patterns become more common, climate-related issues are an increasingly important part of all local news coverage.

By attending this class, you’ll learn:

• How to identify and report climate change tie-ins across all beats.

• How to best communicate dry energy stories or complex science.

• How to make climate connections clear in everyday weather stories.

Instructor: Annie Ropeik

The New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2020 a monthly educational series featuring short, practical lessons on journalism and the First Amendment.

The goal of the program — called “30 Minute Skills” — is to provide reporters and other citizens knowledge they can use immediately in newsgathering, data collection, storytelling and other areas of journalism and First Amendment law.

The lessons are provided in a 30-minute format to accommodate the demanding schedules faced by many working in New England newsrooms. The program is free and open to the public. Registration for each lesson is required.

30 Minute Skills is supported in part by the Estate of Gloria Negri, the late trailblazing journalist who spent more than 50 years at The Boston Globe.

May
17
Fri
NEFAC 30 Minute Skills – How to Develop a Beat
May 17 @ 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Whether you are expanding your existing coverage or starting from scratch, developing a new beat can be challenging. New relationships need to be formed. Familiarity with different communities may be required. Trust needs to be built. Stories need to be found.

By attending this class, you’ll learn:

• How to identify key sources on your new beat and develop relationships with them over time.

• How to find the authoritative voice on a complicated beat to get exclusives and drive coverage.

• How to use social media to identify new stories and find sources within your beat without having a huge following.

Instructor: Alexa Gagosz, The Boston Globe

The New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2020 a monthly educational series featuring short, practical lessons on journalism and the First Amendment.

The goal of the program — called “30 Minute Skills” — is to provide reporters and other citizens knowledge they can use immediately in newsgathering, data collection, storytelling and other areas of journalism and First Amendment law.

The lessons are provided in a 30-minute format to accommodate the demanding schedules faced by many working in New England newsrooms. The program is free and open to the public. Registration for each lesson is required.

30 Minute Skills is supported in part by the Estate of Gloria Negri, the late trailblazing journalist who spent more than 50 years at The Boston Globe.

Jun
11
Tue
NEFAC 30 Minute Skills – How to Protect Yourself Online
Jun 11 @ 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

As threats against journalists become increasingly common, reporters must take measures to protect themselves while newsgathering. This lesson will focus on online risks and how they can be mitigated.

By attending this class, you’ll learn:

• The necessities for protecting your electronic devices, such as encryption, 2FA, passwords and phishing awareness.

• How to reduce the risk of doxxing.

• How to develop best practices for social media when used for both personal and professional purposes.

Instructor: Stephanie Sugars, U.S. Press Freedom Tracker

The New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2020 a monthly educational series featuring short, practical lessons on journalism and the First Amendment.

The goal of the program — called “30 Minute Skills” — is to provide reporters and other citizens knowledge they can use immediately in newsgathering, data collection, storytelling and other areas of journalism and First Amendment law.

The lessons are provided in a 30-minute format to accommodate the demanding schedules faced by many working in New England newsrooms. The program is free and open to the public. Registration for each lesson is required.

30 Minute Skills is supported in part by the Estate of Gloria Negri, the late trailblazing journalist who spent more than 50 years at The Boston Globe.

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