NJCIC Releases Draft Framework to Reimagine Public Media in New Jersey

New Jersey Civic Information Consortium releases draft framework to reimagine public media in New Jersey

Report outlines vision for a modern statewide public media system built on local journalism, broadcast, digital innovation, and sustained funding

March 23, 2026 — The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC) today released a draft report that underscores the vital role statewide public media plays in ensuring the people of New Jersey have access to trusted news and information and makes the case for expanded state investment. The upshot — New Jersey needs a coordinated, collaborative, and sustainable statewide public media system to strengthen local journalism, expand civic information, and ensure residents across the state have access to arts, culture, sports, and education programming.

The report, which is now open for public comment and will be finalized after a series of stakeholder listening sessions, was shaped by a three-month design process with experts from journalism, academia, philanthropy, community organizations, and media institutions across New Jersey. This "Design Team" created a shared vision and operational framework for a more innovative, effective and sustainable public media system to serve New Jerseyans, recognizing rapid changes in media consumption, declining local news capacity, and increasing demand for reliable civic information. The recent elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the upcoming transition in the state's public broadcasting system accelerated the sense of urgency for this work and the resulting recommendations contained in the report.

The report shows:

• New Jersey ranks 49th in the nation in local journalists per capita, with just five journalists for every 100,000 residents.
• Only 60% of municipalities have a local news outlet producing regular reporting, leaving many communities with limited access to consistent civic information.
• Audiences increasingly access news across multiple platforms, including television, websites, and social media.

Key among the report's findings is the need for a coordinated and collaborative statewide structure that distinguishes three core functions: 1) statewide content production and distribution, 2) ecosystem coordination, collaboration, and field support, and 3) public funding and grantmaking for public broadcasting, local journalism and civic information. Working together, these functions will strengthen the infrastructure that supports journalists, creators, artists, educators, athletes, and storytellers across the state.

"We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make New Jersey's public media system the strongest in the country, at a time when residents need reliable, community-rooted news and information more than ever. People across New Jersey want reliable sources of news and information that educate, inspire, and reflect their experiences while holding institutions accountable."

— Mike Rispoli, Senior Director, Journalism and Civic Information at Free Press

The report proposes a five-year investment of public and private funding to support both a statewide public media service and the broader civic information ecosystem. The goal is to create a durable and permanent, yet flexible, infrastructure capable of supporting investigative reporting, regional coverage, community engagement, and digital and broadcast distribution across the state, fueled in part by continued grantmaking to local news outlets by the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium.

"This represents an important step in reimagining how public media can serve New Jersey. The goal is to ensure that every community in our state has access to trusted news, cultural and sports programming, civic information, and storytelling that reflects the full diversity of New Jersey."

— Lisa Sahulka, Executive Director of the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium

The proposed framework and budget were developed by a consulting team including Due East Partners, Public Media Company, and Free Press, who worked alongside the Design Team to review national benchmarks, assess New Jersey's media landscape, and develop potential governance, operational, and financial models for a reimagined system. Public Media Company led the business and budget modeling, drawing on 25 years of experience working with public media institutions across the country.

"This design process brought together leading experts in New Jersey and nationally to envision a modern public media system for New Jersey. The heart of this new system is a statewide network that builds on NJ's existing assets to increase innovation, partnership and public voice."

— Lauren Maddox, Co-Founder, Due East Partners

The full report is now available for stakeholder input and public comment. Free Press and Due East will host listening sessions with key stakeholders through early April—including legislators, journalists, community leaders, educators, and philanthropic partners. Feedback will be summarized and incorporated into the final report expected later this spring.

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