The closure of print newspapers, including the Star-Ledger, is creating a significant challenge for New Jersey municipalities that rely on these outlets for legally required public notices. As more print newspapers shut down, some counties are left without a suitable publication to carry these notices, such as those for public meetings and auctions, which are mandated by the Open Public Meetings Act.
John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties, highlights that this issue has worsened over the past few years, as many local governments struggle to get notices published amid the downsizing of traditional newspapers. The problem came to a head in late October when Star-Ledger owners announced the cessation of physical printing in early 2024, leaving counties without reliable print outlets.
Local governments are under pressure to designate official newspapers by January for the new year. Without a suitable publication, municipalities could face fines or have their decisions invalidated by courts. As a result, New Jersey lawmakers, including Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, are exploring digital alternatives, though they have yet to settle on a solution.
Warren County has even filed a lawsuit challenging a 2010 ruling that mandates legal notices be published in print newspapers rather than online outlets. Local officials argue that relying on newspapers with minimal circulation, like the Daily Record in Morristown, is ineffective, given that only a small fraction of the county’s population reads these publications.
While there is bipartisan support for modernizing the system, the transition to online notices is controversial. Some lawmakers, like Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, suggest cutting newspapers out of the process entirely, citing cost savings. However, the New Jersey Press Association supports a proposal requiring newspapers to maintain online platforms for these notices, arguing that government websites are often difficult to navigate and don’t ensure the same level of transparency.
The debate over how to modernize the dissemination of public notices continues to evolve as New Jersey lawmakers aim to balance the needs for transparency, cost efficiency, and the preservation of local journalism.