Center for Cooperative Media

Center for Cooperative Media The mission of the Center for Cooperative Media is to grow and strengthen local journalism and, in do The Center receives core support from the Geraldine R.

The mission of the Center for Cooperative Media is to grow and strengthen local journalism and support an informed society in New Jersey and beyond. The Center was founded in 2012 in response to the downsizing of New Jersey news organizations and the changes in the ownership of regional public media. These shifts in the news and information landscape hurt the volume of local news available in a st

ate that has historically had limited news coverage, due to its proximity to the major metropolitan areas of New York City and Philadelphia. With 565 municipalities packed into a densely populated state, New Jersey was—and is—ripe for innovation in local journalism. The Center coordinates statewide and regional reporting, connecting more than 280 local news and information providers through its flagship project, the NJ News Commons. The Commons helps partners to share content and encourages them to collaborate and to support one another. The Center also conducts and publishes research on emerging ideas and best practices, focusing on local journalism, business models, and ecosystem mapping. The Center convenes national programs, including an annual national summit for journalism organizations to foster the conditions, ideas, and practices that lead to stronger collaborative journalism across the U.S. The Center’s annual reports offer a detailed history of programs and impact. The Center is a grant-funded program within the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State University. Funding from the University supports the director’s salary and benefits, office space for the Center and its staff, and infrastructure support and shared services such as IT, development, marketing, and administrative assistance. Dodge Foundation, the Democracy Fund and the Abrams Foundation, as well as project support from many other grantmaking sources and sponsors.

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium just announced more than $1 million in renewal grants to 12 news organizatio...
07/07/2025

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium just announced more than $1 million in renewal grants to 12 news organizations. These grants power youth journalism programs, multilingual reporting for immigrant communities, accountability journalism in Trenton, and environmental coverage through universities.

The funding follows a major win for local news when New Jersey lawmakers and Governor Phil Murphy approved $2.5 million for the Consortium in the state budget. This investment brings total grantmaking to more than $10 million since the Consortium's 2021 launch.

This investment brings the Consortium’s total grantmaking to more than $10 million since launching in 2021.

New Jersey secures $2.5 million for the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium in fiscal year 2026, continuing six year...
07/01/2025

New Jersey secures $2.5 million for the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium in fiscal year 2026, continuing six years of groundbreaking public investment in local journalism. The funding victory followed a successful statewide advocacy campaign that mobilized community members, students, media organizations, and former officials when the budget initially eliminated the program.

The NJCIC operates as the nation's only publicly funded civic information consortium, having invested more than $9 million since 2021 in community newsrooms, student reporting programs, multilingual media, and civic technology projects.

This strategic public investment demonstrates how supporting local news creates stronger, more informed communities and establishes a national model for civic engagement through quality journalism.

New Jersey continues leading the way in recognizing local journalism as essential infrastructure for healthy democracy.

State funding restored for the NJ Civic Information Consortium, preserving vital investments in local journalism and civic engagement.

The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University has announced the 15 recipients of the 2025 New Jersey re...
07/01/2025

The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University has announced the 15 recipients of the 2025 New Jersey reporting fellowship, a collaborative initiative with NJ Spotlight News, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This five-month fellowship offers up to $2,500 to journalists from 13 diverse news organizations to report on pressing state issues, including immigration, housing, healthcare, education, and the gubernatorial race. Their work will be featured in NJ Spotlight's NJ Decides coverage, amplifying underrepresented voices and stories.

For more details, contact Oni Advincula at [email protected].

Fellows will report on immigration, housing, healthcare, education, and the gubernatorial race

A new affordable libel insurance solution addresses a critical gap for smaller newsrooms, offering comprehensive media l...
07/01/2025

A new affordable libel insurance solution addresses a critical gap for smaller newsrooms, offering comprehensive media liability coverage to independent publishers with annual budgets under $2 million. The philanthropic initiative, developed with insurer Axis and broker EPIC, provides coverage with $2,500 deductibles and premiums ranging from $3,000 to just over $7,000 annually.

The policy protects against libel, privacy invasion, copyright infringement, and subpoena defense while connecting newsrooms with pre-approved top-tier legal firms. This solution eliminates common industry problems, including inadequate coverage limits and settlement clauses that force payments even when reporting is accurate and legally sound.

Industry leaders from the Institute for Nonprofit News and LION Publishers have endorsed the program, recognizing its importance in protecting the 53% of independent publishers currently operating without media liability insurance. The coverage ensures smaller newsrooms can continue their essential work without fear of devastating legal costs.

Newsroom leaders seeking more information can contact Brian Finnell at EPIC at [email protected] to learn more.

Crafted with support from a leading philanthropy

06/30/2025

Discover how the Colorado News Collaborative tackles misinformation within diverse communities in Denver to build trust and improve media coverage.

📺 Full panel discussion: https://youtu.be/3Tz1mFzOGg8

Address

1 Normal Avenue, Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ
07043

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(973) 655-3879

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