TRENTON — State lawmakers this morning kicked off their first of three hearings on the future of NJN, the state’s public television network that Gov. Chris Christie wants to wean off a state subsidy. Christie has proposed ending the $11 million subsidy of the network and transferring its operations, licenses and equipment to a non-government entity, most likely an...
News anchor Jim Hooker preps for the evening news broadcast at the New Jersey Network Studios in Trenton in this April file photo. The first of three hearings to determine the fate of NJN was held this morning.TRENTON — State lawmakers this morning kicked off their first of three hearings on the future of NJN, the state’s public television network that Gov. Chris Christie wants to wean off a state subsidy.
Christie has proposed ending the $11 million subsidy of the network and transferring its operations, licenses and equipment to a non-government entity, most likely an independent, not-for-profit one.
Democrats emphasized the need for a statewide television network in a state otherwise dependent on the New York City and Philadelphia markets, and with fewer and fewer print media sources.
State Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex), who chairs the newly-formed bipartisan committee, said the network was created in 1968 because the governor and Legislature saw a void in state television news coverage. She said officials should keep that in mind when determining how to transfer its broadcasting license.
“With the current decline in newspapers and other media sources throughout the country, including New Jersey, the mission of NJN is perhaps more important now than when it was created,” she said. “There are very sensitive and complex issues here, and I would like to say to the governor that we look forward to working with you for the benefit of the people. Because this is not the governor's license. It’s not the legislature’s license. It’s the people's license.”
Republicans said they also recognized the need for the network, but emphasized the state’s fiscal difficulties.
“Keep a strong NJN. Keep the lights on. Do it without the taxpayers and make sure that we (fill) this void,” said state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth).
The first to testify on behalf of NJN was Kent Manahan, a retired long-time anchor at the network who currently chairs the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority.
Manahan pulled out a binder with a 440-page catalog of NJN’s public affairs coverage over the last 40 years, contrasting it to the neighboring big-city networks, who she said most often cover only sensational stories.
Before the network existed, Manahan said, “you’d never know there was a New Jersey except for flames, disasters and high crimes and misdemeanors.”
“New Jersey is so much more,” she said.
The 10-member joint legislative committee – made up of members of both houses – is charged with issuing a report on the network’s future to Christie and the Legislature by Oct. 15. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday at Stockton College in Pomona, followed by one on Sept. 23 in the Montclair council chambers.
In 1996, News 12 New Jersey – a commercial news network that focuses its coverage on the Garden State – began broadcasting. But it is not as widely available as NJN.