Partner Spotlight:
National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section
News, Noise, and Facts: How NCJW Bergen County Section Used Local Journalism to Strengthen Democracy
Action Plan: Led a community event dedicated to freedom of the press, supporting local journalism, and addressing misinformation.
Partner Since: 2026
When people lose trust in the news, democracy loses a critical foundation. Every April, the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section (NCJW BCS) hosts an Advocacy Forum that brings community members together around one of today's most pressing civic issues. This year, the organization focused on a cornerstone of American democracy: freedom of the press.
“Freedom of the Press: News, Noise & Facts” brought in more than 100 attendees. The event convened four respected journalists, with a panel featuring Stephanie Murray of Montclair State University’s Center for Cooperative Media, Arno Rosenfeld of The Forward, Briana Vannozzi of PBS’s NJ Spotlight News, and veteran television producer and documentarian Allison Davis. Davis is also a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary. Community members discussed the decline of local journalism, the rise of misinformation, the evolving role of artificial intelligence, and why trustworthy local news remains essential to a healthy democracy.
Lois Katz Brown, Vice President of Advocacy, said:
The panel was intentionally designed to bring together myriad viewpoints on the changing media landscape. The speakers brought perspectives from local journalism, academic research, the Jewish press, and decades of experience in broadcast media, creating a conversation that reflected the many ways Americans encounter and consume news today. Nancy Gilbert, an Advocacy Committee member, shared:
Audience members submitted thoughtfully written questions that allowed more voices to be heard while keeping the conversation between panelists focused. Many reflected on the disappearance of local newspapers and the growth of media monopolies. They sought guidance on distinguishing responsible journalism from misinformation in today’s media landscape. Bari Lynne Schwartz, Immediate Past Co-President and Honorary Vice President, shared:
“The topic really resonated because local media is not only threatened, but so is the ability to report safely and provide a balanced range of perspectives.”
"We're all very concerned about the erosion of freedom of the press, misinformation and disinformation, and knowing that many people have no idea what to believe or not believe.”
The strong audience response was not accidental. NCJW Bergen County’s team spent significant time building the foundation for the conversation, from selecting a panel that represented different perspectives to creating opportunities for the speakers to connect before the event. According to Brown:
"You could have heard a pin drop during this forum. There was total engagement. People were really listening."
NCJW Bergen County Section invested in relationships. Their experience shows that the most impactful programs don’t just share information; they create opportunities for people to connect around civic issues. The disappearance of local news is both a personal experience, something many community members have watched happen in their own towns, and a larger democratic concern. Hildy Dillon, Advocacy Committee member, said:
“The panelists were thrilled. They had a good time. They enjoyed engaging with each other. They were very personable. They spoke from their own experiences, but they had questions for each other.”
The forum concluded with a call to action, encouraging participants to call their state legislators in support of public media and local journalism. Looking back, the team identified one improvement they would make next time: creating an advocacy action that is easier to measure, such as tracking participant calls or collecting signatures on a shared letter. Dillon shared:
“A lot of us are of a similar generation, where there was a local paper in every community, and it doesn't exist anymore.”
Their advocacy paid off. Weeks later, Governor Sherrill decided that Montclair State University would take over operation of NJ’s public television network. The move rescued NJ PBS from a planned shutdown and returned control of the state’s public broadcasting station to a NJ-based institution for the first time in 15 years. As a result, Briana Vannozzi’s NJ Spotlight News continues to be televised every evening, Monday through Friday.
At a time when confidence in the media continues to be tested, the forum offered something increasingly valuable: an opportunity to engage directly with journalists, ask questions, and better understand how trustworthy reporting serves the public. If freedom of the press matters for democracy, NCJW Bergen County Section is helping ensure their community can protect it.
“It’s always that intangible. Are they going to make the call or not make the call?”
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