New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill | Photo via Center for Community Media
EWING, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill underscored the role of local journalism in strengthening civic life and public trust during her keynote address Friday at the Center for Community Media’s annual awards ceremony, where she called community newsrooms “the connective tissue of New Jersey’s democracy” and urged continued investment in their survival.
Speaking to reporters and nearly 100 attendees, Sherrill praised the state’s growing ecosystem of ethnic, hyperlocal, and nonprofit outlets. “When residents understand what’s happening in their neighborhoods — in their schools, their councils, their courts — they are empowered to participate,” she said. “That is why supporting community journalism is not optional. It is essential.”
Sherrill also fielded questions about the state’s posture toward federal immigration enforcement, particularly recent concerns raised by advocates about ICE activity in New Jersey communities. While emphasizing that she would not comment on specific enforcement actions, Sherrill reiterated that state agencies must operate within constitutional limits. “New Jersey’s responsibility is to uphold the rights of all residents under our state constitution,” she said. “Federal immigration enforcement is a separate authority. Our job is to ensure that no one’s due process or civil protections are compromised.”
Mukherji: State Rights, Federal Rights, and the Line Between Them
State Sen. Raj Mukherji, who delivered remarks following the governor, expanded on the legal distinctions when asked about ICE operations and state cooperation. Mukherji, a former deputy mayor and longtime legislator, noted that while federal agencies have jurisdiction over civil immigration enforcement, New Jersey retains broad authority over how itn law enforcement agencies conduct such enforcement.
“There is a clear constitutional boundary,” he said. “The federal government can enforce federal law. But the state cannot be compelled to use its resources for civil immigration actions. Our responsibility is to protect the constitutional rights of people within our borders — regardless of immigration status.”
Mukherji added that the Legislature continues to monitor community concerns about ICE presence near schools, hospitals, and courthouses. “Residents should feel safe accessing essential services,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring that state and local agencies do not become extensions of federal civil enforcement.”
Support for State Funding for Community Journalism
Both Sherrill and Mukherji expressed support for legislation that would create a dedicated line item in the state budget for community news organizations — a proposal championed by press advocates and several lawmakers.
Mukherji said the measure reflects a broader recognition that local journalism is a public good. “We fund libraries, we fund public broadcasting, we fund civic institutions,” he said. “Community journalism deserves the same consideration because it strengthens democracy at the neighborhood level.”
Sherrill, while not commenting on specific bill language, said she welcomed legislative efforts to stabilize the sector. “The decline of local news is a national crisis,” she said. “New Jersey can lead by example.”
Celebrating Excellence in Community Media
The event also honored outstanding reporting across New Jersey’s diverse media landscape. Awards were presented in categories including investigative reporting, community impact, arts and culture coverage, student journalism, photojournalism, and multilingual reporting. Ten community news outlets were recognized for their contributions to public service journalism, with judges citing their “rigor, cultural fluency, and commitment to local accountability.”
The Center for Community Media said this year’s entries reflected a surge in collaborative reporting and a renewed focus on immigrant communities, public health, and local governance.
