First Amendment Center to offer advice, education

Northeastern University's creation of the New England First Amendment Center is garnering much attention, which is not a surprise since news reports of government restricting access to information has increased significantly.

Northeastern University said Friday that it has created a research and advocacy center to increase access to public records, which have become increasingly shielded by government.

The New England First Amendment Center will offer citizens, journalists and public policy organizations information on access to government. The university-based center will have a hotline to advise people seeking public documents and will host seminars for journalists, municipal officials and lawmakers on public records and open meeting laws.

Walter Robinson, Northeastern's coordinator of the center, said the federal government has restricted access to more records since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

More here.

Visit the New England First Amendment Center Web site here.