Rep. Payne, Jr. Criticizes NJAM Decision to Shut Down the Last New Jersey-focused Washington News Bureau  

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. wrote a letter today to NJ Advanced Media (NJAM), parent company of the Star-Ledger newspaper, to denounce the recent decision to close the last Washington news bureau for New Jersey media on March 3, 2023.  Rep. Payne, Jr. told Steve Alessi, President of NJAM; Chris Kelly. Vice President of Content for NJAM; and Steven Newhouse, Co-President of Advance Publications; that the move robs New Jersey readers of critical, political information and undermines the newspaper’s responsibility to keep politicians accountable to the people.

“This is a sad day for New Jersey journalism and a terrible day for Star-Ledger readers,” wrote Rep. Payne, Jr..  “Now, local readers will have to find out what is happening in Washington through general wire service stories without any New Jersey-specific focus.  They will not know how appropriations decisions by me and my colleagues will benefit their communities (nor will they) have objective journalism to protect them from political corruption.  Given the bureau only had one reporter, it seemed like an extremely cost-effective way to provide information to your readers.  Instead, you have betrayed the very purpose of a newspaper in the misguided hope that it will increase your bottom line.”

In addition, Rep. Payne, Jr. signed on to a separate letter earlier this week to protest the closure and request the NJAM executives to reconsider this decision.  Rep. Payne, Jr. was joined on the letter by New Jersey’s two Senators and 11 New Jersey members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rep. Payne, Jr.’s entire letter to the NJAM officials is below.

March 3, 2023

Mr. Steve Alessi, President                            Mr. Steven O. Newhouse, Co-President
Mr. Chris Kelly, Vice President, Content      Advance Publications
NJ Advance Media                                         One World Trade Center
485 Route 1 S Bldg. E, Suite 300                   New York, NY  10007
Iselin, NJ 08830

Dear Mr. Alessi, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Newhouse:

I write to you personally to say that I am furious that NJ Advance Media (NJAM) has decided to close its Washington bureau on March 3, 2023.  This action will deprive millions of New Jersey residents with political information that is relevant to them and layoff one of the best reporters in Washington, Jonathan Salant.

I understand these decisions can be difficult and journalism is in a financial crisis right now.  But studies have shown that when newspapers drop content and layoff reporters, it leads to a lower-quality product and a significant drop in readership.  The Star-Ledger has been the most prominent source of local and political news for my constituents since 1832, when it was called the Newark Daily Advertiser.  Since then, it has helped readers understand how the decisions in Washington affect their daily lives.  Personally, I have always enjoyed reading the Washington-based stories in my Star-Ledger and speaking with your reporter, Jonathan Salant.

Now, local readers will have to find out what is happening in Washington through general wire service stories without any New Jersey-specific focus.  They will not know how appropriations decisions by me and my colleagues will benefit their communities.  They will never have objective journalism to protect them from political corruption and help them come to political and personal decisions on a daily basis.  Given the bureau only had one reporter, it seemed like an extremely cost-effective way to provide all information to your readers.  Instead, you have betrayed the very purpose of a newspaper in the misguided hope that it will increase your bottom line.

This is a sad day for local, New Jersey-focused journalism and a terrible day for Star-Ledger readers.

Sincerely,

Donald M. Payne, Jr.

Member of Congress