New Jersey Star-Ledger, Times of Trenton, South Jersey Times to end print editions in 2025
BLOOMFIELD, N.J. - An iconic New Jersey newspaper is set to end its print edition.
The Star-Ledger and several other New Jersey newspapers will end their print publications in 2025 and go fully digital.
The Star-Ledger is shuttering its production facility in Montville, which is having an impact on a number of other local newspapers.
According to NJ.com, Newark Morning Ledger Co., which owns the Star-Ledger, made the decision citing increasing costs, decreasing circulation, and less demand for a print newspaper.
The Star Ledger is New Jersey's largest paper. It and the Times of Trenton, and South Jersey Times will all cease print publication on Feb. 2, but will continue to offer their content online. The Hunterdon County Democrat, a weekly, will end its print run on Jan. 30, and subscribers to the Hunterdon County Democrat will have access to the Star-Ledger's online offering.
"Today's announcement represents the next step into the digital future of journalism in New Jersey," Steve Alessi, president of NJ Advance Media, reportedly said. "It's important to emphasize that this is a forward-looking decision that allows us to invest more deeply than ever in our journalism and in serving our communities."
Alessi said NJ Advance Media will continue to make investments in its digital offerings.
"Outstanding reporting, even when I don't always agree with it"
Gov. Phil Murphy said the news is a blow to Democracy.
"On the Ledger, outstanding reporting, even when I don't always agree with it. I'd say I have mixed emotions, on a good day, on their editorial page. But I don't have mixed emotions that we need the Fourth Estate to be strong in this country," Murphy said.
"Shocking. It's been a staple for all my life. I think it's going to be greatly missed," Bloomfield resident Matthew Lawrence said.
Some longtime readers say losing the print version of the Ledger is the end of an era. Others say nothing will change.
"I don't read the paper anymore. I use my tablets to read all the news," Nutley resident Anthony Santoro said.
The closure of the plant also means that the Jersey Journal, based in Jersey City, will end publication altogether. It had been in operation for 157 years.
"We fought as hard as we can for as long as we could," Jersey Journal editor and publisher David Blomquist reportedly said. "An online-only publication simply would not have enough scale to support the strong, politically independent journalism that has distinguished The Journal."