More Controversy for NJTV

New Jersey Public Television is back in the spotlight again. But, not in a good way. The controversy that was sparked when Governor Christie and Republicans in the Assembly pushed for the break-up of the network. The issue is still smoldering. 


Opponents of the network said the state could no longer afford to underwrite public broadcasting. the Governor compared to government funding of public broadcasting to the old Soviet Union.
The network was split between WHYY in Philadelphia and WNET in New York.
According to an article in NJ.com, not everyone in the assembly is happy with the change. 

"The lawmakers noted the station’s many failures in its brief history, including failing to provide coverage of Hurricane Irene, airing the cartoon “Angelina Ballerina” while nearly every regional and national media outlet covered the announcement of the governor’s presidential plans and now airing the cartoon “Thomas the Train” for the majority of the legislature’s reorganization and tribute to the passing of one of its elder statesmen."

You can read more in NJ.com.


The network was dependent on state funding. Donations form viewers and underwriters were not able to sustain the cost of the old network (NJN).

 

Can Partnerships Save Joint Licensees?

There have been some financial collapses over the past two years among public broadcasting's joint licensees. 

WMFE-TV is being sold to a faith based broadcaster while hanging on to it's radio operations.

NJN collapsed completely. The state of New Jersey decided they could no longer underwrite the operation with tax dollars. Their assets are now under the control of New York and Philadelphia stations.

As of August San Mateo Community College District said it was offering KCSM-TV up for sale. KCSM radio will remain a part of the school district.

WKAR in East Lansing saw deficits grow dramatically. The result was cuts in staff and a growing involvement by Michigan State, the license holder. It was announced this week by State News.com that WKAR and Michigan State will be offering "students a chance to engage in public broadcasting operations, such as TV and radio production, along with opportunities in public relations, branding and sales."


WJCT in Jacksonville Florida is also running deficits. They announced this week they are exploring a partnership with the University of North Florida. "WJCT, UNF in talks about partnership."

 The Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPTV/WNPR) announced a partnership with Hartford Public Schools. The press release says, "The total immersion” learning laboratory where seniors at the district’s Journalism & Media Academy will receive continuous hands-on training in all aspects of television production and other forms of broadcast communication under the guidance of CPBN professionals.  Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2012." There's a video that helps promote the project.


Will partnerships with educational institutions save public broadcasting? The partnerships certainly improves their chances. Collaborations and partnerships that strengthen community ties among non-profits and educational institutions increase the value and standing of these cultural institutions.

The Deal for NJN is Raising Questions

Some are regarding the deal by WNET to run NJN is political payback.
That's the gist of the comments reported on by  NJ.com.

"But Steve Adubato Jr.’s latest role at the center of the deal allowing WNET to manage New Jersey’s public television has raised cries of political cronyism, with some key Democrats charging the agreement is a gift to Adubato’s father — Stephen Adubato Sr., the feared and well-connected political dealer known to most as "Big Steve."


Read more: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/some_democrats_view_njn_takeov.html

It could be payback in other ways. Governor Christie compared the government funding of public broadcasting to the old Soviet Union.


 “In my view, that should have ended with the Soviet Union," he said. "It's ending here in New Jersey a little later than the fall of the wall in Berlin. But we're getting there.”


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/06/06/njs-christie-compares-public-broadcasting-to-soviet-union-before-announcing/#ixzz1P63rwn53

New York Public Radio Buys NJN

New York Public Radio to Buy New Jersey Stations - WNYC

While WHYY will purchase the stations in the southern part of New Jersey.
WNYC is promising Jersey centric programming.

Brownback Puts Public Broadcasting on Notice

Kansas governor Sam Brownback spared public broadcasting in the current budget by not using his veto power. He told them to be ready for cuts next year. Approved funds were recently vetoed by Virginia's governor,  Bob McDonnell. You can read more in The Republic of Columbus, Indiana. Cutting the funding would save about $1.5 million out of a $13.8 billion budget.

In other public broadcasting news...WNET has reached an agreement to run the public television station of the New Jersey Network. The fate of NJN's current employees is not known. "Talks concerning the future of New Jersey’s radio assets and broadcasting operation are continuing," According to treasury spokesman Bill Quinn "No agreement has been finalized." There's more at nj.com.

Bi-Partisan Panel Says New Jersey Can No Longer Afford NJN

An article published by newjerseynewsroom.com says New Jersey's bipartisan panel is recommending that the state can no longer afford NJN. They recommend that a private buyer be found and New Jersey get out of the public media business.
Read more about it here: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/bi-partisan-panel-finds-state-government-can-no-longer-afford-operating-njn-tv-and-radio#

Richard Stockton College offers a dollar to take over NJN broadcasting - pressofAtlanticCity.com

Richard Stockton College offers a dollar to take over NJN broadcasting - pressofAtlanticCity.com

This an interesting article from the Press of Atlantic City about NJN. Stockton College has offered to take over the network for a dollar.

According to the article by Juliet Fletcher, there are two other offers for NJN. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to unload the network by December when state funding runs out.

Saving Public Media in New Jersey

A group out of Princeton is suggesting some radical changes that will result in a revitalized NJN.
The report came out of the Sandra Starr Foundation, a small Princeton nonprofit. Among the recommendations:

Sell off some TV properties

Invest in New Media

Have WNYC run the radio properties

The report says NJN failed to invest in public radio in time because it is a PTV centric organization. The report also suggests the current organization is not prepared to manage the changes needed to launch new media or develop the public radio network. The report should generate plenty of heat and controversy.


A Future for Public Media in New Jersey: How to Create a New Basis for Public Radio, TV, and Online Media in One of American Journalism’s Worst Covered States

Lawmakers give New Jersey Network time to become ‘self-sustaining’ - pressofAtlanticCity.com

Lawmakers give New Jersey Network time to become ‘self-sustaining’ - pressofAtlanticCity.com

This article articulates the challenges facing NJN in the near future. The State of New Jersey has given NJN some time as the state studies how best to restructure the public broadcaster.

Current thinking is that the State of New Jersey should walk away and NJN become independent. Standing in the way is a huge deficit of $16.7 million. According to the article there may also be irregularities in the way NJN's foundation raised support.

If NJN is able to become a non-government non-profit organization it will need to look seriously at the sustainability of its programming including their flagship program "NJN News," a nightly half-hour news program.

NJN's Interim Executive Director Howard Blumenthal is quoted in the article from a written statement, "...that all the pieces of the network were working toward a fiscal solution. “NJN management and staff are working with members of the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJN’s governance board), the NJN Foundation (NJN’s fundraising board), the Governor’s Office and legislators to develop a plan that secures a healthy future for NJN and public media in New Jersey. We will continue to meet with foundations, corporations and individual donors to share our vision for a future of greater public service, and make a compelling case for support of NJN as a vital source for information and ideas."