This second part of The Future of New Jersey Journalism: Evolution, Not Extinction examines the evolving landscape of legal advertising requirements in New Jersey amid significant changes in media publishing models. The impending cessation of print operations by New Jersey Advance Media in February 2025 presents both immediate challenges and opportunities for reform in how government agencies fulfill statutory requirements for public notices. Through analysis of historical practices, current statutory frameworks, and emerging digital alternatives, this study identifies critical tensions between maintaining government transparency and adapting to modern media consumption patterns. The research reveals that while the digital transformation of legal advertising is inevitable, hasty policy changes could compromise the fundamental role these notices play in government accountability and civic engagement. The study recommends a two-phase approach: an immediate temporary solution allowing digital facsimiles to meet statutory requirements, followed by a comprehensive stakeholder-driven assessment to develop sustainable long-term policies. These findings suggest that the successful modernization of legal advertising requires careful consideration of technological capabilities, user accessibility, archival integrity, and the economic sustainability of local journalism.
About Legal Advertising
Citation:
Pfeiffer, M. H., January 2025, Part Two – About Legal Ads. Excerpted from The Future of New Jersey Journalism: Evolution, Not Extinction, Bloustein Local, a unit of the Center for Urban Policy Research, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University.