Rutgers Today, February 18, 2025
Rutgers policy expert Marc Pfeiffer discusses the decline of print, the rise of digital media, and what it means for New Jersey communities.
With The Star-Ledger ending its print edition and The Jersey Journal shutting down, New Jersey’s media landscape is changing fast. But does the decline of print mean the end of local journalism?
“It’s adapting, not dying,” said Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow in Bloustein Local, the local government research unit of the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy. “While traditional newspapers are disappearing, digital-first newsrooms, nonprofit investigative outlets and hyperlocal platforms are filling the gaps.”
In his new report, The Future of New Jersey Journalism: Evolution, Not Extinction, Pfeiffer discusses these shifts and what they mean for the future of news.
With major newspapers ending their print editions, is local journalism in New Jersey dying?
No, but it’s undergoing a massive transformation. While it’s true that legacy newspapers have been shutting down or going digital-only, that doesn’t mean journalism itself is disappearing. Instead, we’re seeing a shift toward digital-first newsrooms, nonprofit journalism and hyperlocal reporting.
For example, while the number of print reporters covering the New Jersey State House has dropped from 44 in 2000 to around 20 today, digital-only outlets have stepped in to fill the gap. The way people consume news has changed – more people are getting their news through websites, social media, podcasts and email newsletters rather than picking up a physical paper.
This transition isn’t without challenges. Digital news outlets are still figuring out how to make enough money to sustain themselves. As a result, many communities are at risk of becoming “news deserts,” where little or no local reporting exists. But the overall trend shows that while print may be fading, journalism itself is evolving.
So where will people get local news now?
There’s a growing digital ecosystem in New Jersey. Websites like NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey Monitor, Insider NJ and Politico NJ cover state government, while local news sites like TAPinto, Patch and independent hyperlocal outlets provide community coverage. Even social media plays a big role in how people consume news.
Additionally, cooperative journalism initiatives are emerging to connect these outlets. The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University maintains the NJ News Commons, a collaborative hub for news organizations across the state. The NJ Civic Information Consortium, a state-funded initiative, is providing grants to support local journalism startups and investigative projects.
What about legal notices? If newspapers stop printing, where will governments publish required public notices?
One of the biggest unresolved issues in New Jersey is where governments will publish legal notices now that newspapers are ending their print editions. For over a century, state and local governments have been required to publish public notices – such as hearings, zoning changes and budget reports – in print newspapers to ensure transparency and provide a verifiable public record. But this system is breaking down.
In December 2024, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a temporary law allowing legal notices to be published in digital editions of newspapers, but that law expires on March 1, 2025, and lawmakers have yet to agree on a long-term solution. Some proposed ideas include creating county-run government websites for legal notices, as suggested in a recent bill that would have the Department of Community Affairs establish online notice portals.
Another option is keeping notices in digital newspapers to maintain third-party verification, a solution supported by the New Jersey Press Association. A third possibility is using a centralized legal notice database like NJPublicNotices.com, which already archives public notices from newspapers statewide.
A major concern is government transparency: Moving legal notices to government-run websites raises the risk of political interference or poor archiving. Digital-only notices also pose challenges for older residents, rural communities, and those without reliable internet access. A lack of legislative consensus has resulted in a bill to extend the use of digital newspapers until the end of 2025. However, at some point, the legislature will need to establish a permanent system that balances digital accessibility with government accountability.
I have proposed a task force to examine the issues surrounding legal ads, which I hope will become part of the solution.
Isn’t losing print bad for transparency?
Potentially, yes. Print newspapers play a crucial role in keeping the public informed and providing an independent, verifiable record of government actions.
One concern is the digital divide. While New Jersey has a high internet usage rate, many residents – especially in rural areas and low-income urban communities – lack reliable access. The federal government is providing New Jersey over $250 million in broadband expansion funding, but it will take time to close the gap.
Another issue is archiving and verification. If everything moves online, lawmakers need to establish digital archiving standards to prevent records from disappearing over time.
However, digital platforms also offer advantages. Digital news can be updated in real time, include multimedia and reach broader audiences through social media. The key is ensuring digital journalism remains credible, accessible and financially sustainable.
If digital is the future, how will local journalism stay financially sustainable?
That’s the biggest challenge. The old business model – where newspapers relied on advertising and subscriptions – isn’t enough anymore. Many outlets are experimenting with nonprofit funding, reader donations, sponsorships and public funding initiatives like the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, which supports local journalism projects.
One risk of the digital shift is the rise of misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content. That’s why human editors and professional journalists remain crucial. Readers should be cautious about where they get their news and support outlets that invest in real journalism.
What can the public do to keep journalism strong in New Jersey?
The simplest thing? Support local news. Subscribe to digital news sites, donate to nonprofit journalism organizations, share stories from reliable sources and advocate for policies that promote press freedom. Journalism isn’t just about reporters – it’s about communities staying informed and engaged.