South Middlesex Times

With the end of The Star-Ledger's print edition and the closure of The Jersey Journal, New Jersey's media landscape is rapidly changing. However, this does not signify the end of local journalism.

Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow at Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy, emphasized that "it's adapting, not dying." He explained that while traditional newspapers are disappearing, digital-first newsrooms and nonprofit investigative outlets are emerging to fill the void.

Pfeiffer's report, "The Future of New Jersey Journalism: Evolution, Not Extinction," highlights these changes and their implications for the future of news. Although legacy newspapers are transitioning to digital formats or shutting down, journalism itself is evolving rather than vanishing. Digital-only outlets have stepped in to replace some print reporters covering state government issues.

The shift towards digital platforms presents challenges. Many communities risk becoming "news deserts" due to financial sustainability issues faced by digital news outlets. Nevertheless, websites like NJ Spotlight News and Politico NJ provide state coverage, while TAPinto and Patch focus on community news.

Cooperative journalism initiatives like Montclair State University's NJ News Commons foster collaboration among news organizations. The NJ Civic Information Consortium supports local journalism startups through grants.

A significant unresolved issue is where governments will publish legal notices with newspapers ending print editions. A temporary law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy allows digital publication until March 1, 2025. Lawmakers have yet to agree on a permanent solution; options include county-run websites or centralized databases like NJPublicNotices.com.

Concerns about government transparency arise as moving notices online may lead to political interference or poor archiving. Digital-only notices could also disadvantage older residents and those without reliable internet access.

Despite potential downsides such as misinformation risks associated with digital platforms, they offer real-time updates and broader audience reach through social media. Financial sustainability remains a challenge for local journalism in a digital age reliant on nonprofit funding and reader donations.

To support journalism in New Jersey, the public can subscribe to digital sites, donate to nonprofit organizations, share reliable stories and advocate for press freedom policies.