San Juan, PR — At a time when governments are increasingly testing the limits of transparency and press freedom, David McCraw, the lead newsroom lawyer for The New York Times, is coming to Puerto Rico to discuss the legal battles that determine what the public gets to know — and what powerful institutions try to keep hidden.
His visit launches a series of events organized by the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI) for Sunshine Week.
For more than two decades — primarily in the United States — Sunshine Week has brought together news organizations, civic groups, journalists, and the public to defend everyone’s right to know how decisions that affect our lives are made. The CPI is joining this year with its own slate of educational events, including a keynote address, a breakfast conversation with McCraw, and a webinar on how to file public records requests following the approval of amendments to Puerto Rico’s Transparency Act (Act 141).
For more than 20 years, McCraw has led The New York Times’ legal efforts to defend its journalism and protect press freedom and is the author of “Truth in Our Times,” a book about the legal battles that have shaped the newspaper’s coverage of U.S. national security issues and of President Donald Trump, as well as film producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been convicted of sex crimes. McCraw has served as lead counsel in more than 130 access-to-information lawsuits in state and federal courts. He oversees journalist security in high-risk areas and teaches media law at Harvard Law School.
In the keynote address “When the State Wants to Silence the Press,” attendees will learn about the legal battles facing news organizations in today’s political climate — from the White House to La Fortaleza — on Monday, March 16 at 6 p.m., at the Theater at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico’s Law School in Hato Rey. Tickets are available at periodismoinvestigativo.com with a suggested $20 donation to the CPI. For students, the suggested donation is $15, and attorneys may request Continuing Legal Education credit for a $50 fee.
The breakfast and conversation “Behind-the-Scenes: Look at the Legal Fight for Press Freedom Under Trump” will offer an up-close exchange with The New York Times attorney on Tuesday, March 17, at 10 a.m., at the Museo de Arte y Diseño de Miramar (MADMI). At this exclusive event, moderated by El Nuevo Día journalist Gloria Ruiz Kuilan and CPI attorney Carlos Francisco Ramos Hernández, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with McCraw and other professionals in law and journalism. A breakfast buffet and pastries from Lucía Patisserie will be served. The suggested $250 donation for tickets will support CPI’s Transparency Program operations.
A free webinar entitled “Strategies to Address Anti-Transparency Amendments” will take place on Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m., during which Ramos Hernández will discuss the recent changes introduced to Act 141, the Transparency and Expedited Procedure for Access to Public Information Act. The attorney will also share practical tips for submitting an information request under the new amendments.
For tickets, visit www.periodismoinvestigativo.com. Additional details for all events can be found on CPI’s social media accounts.
Sunshine Week is made possible with the support of El Nuevo Día, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Law School, the law firm Goldman Antonetti & Cordova, LLC, and Don Rafa Hotel Boutique.
