Commentary

'The Star-Ledger's' Last Rodeo: New Jersey Paper Abandons Print

Sunday was a sad day in the history of journalism. 

The Star-Ledger, a paper that had served Newark, New Jersey since 1796, and competed for scoops with the much larger dailies in New York City, printed its last issue. 

But it will continue in some form. 

“The former Star-Ledger newsroom may be no more, but its successor is a 24/7 statewide digital operation filled with award-winning journalists, including many Ledger veterans,” one writer wrote, according to nj.com. 

Still, the print shutdown is part of a larger trend. Sister paper The Jersey Journal is closing down entirely, even online, while several other dailies in NJ Advance Media’s network, including the Times of Trenton, are forsaking print. 

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The Star-Ledger’s management blamed higher costs and lower circulation for its decision. 

Newark is the biggest city in New Jersey, a complex town with a diverse population, ethnic neighborhoods, areas like the Ironbound district and its own small subway system. 

The Star-Ledger covered strikes, tense political races, culture and the growing gentrification of the city. And it was known for its sports coverage.

This doesn’t mean that urban New Jersey is turning into a news desert: It is part of the biggest media market in the country, that of greater New York, after all. But the digital edition could lose the focus and streetwise flavor that the print product was known for. 

Want to read the final, “Thank you, New Jersey” edition? It is being sold at QuickChek stores. And you can see it here. 

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