A recent study by the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll paints a sobering picture of how New Jerseyans perceive the information landscape today. The most striking takeaway is the near-universal consensus that the spread of false or misleading information has become a massive headache for the state. An overwhelming 82% of voters view misinformation as a “big problem,” with 60% going so far as to label it a “very big problem.” What makes these numbers especially notable is the bipartisanship; in a political climate defined by sharp division, both sides of the aisle are united in their fear that unverified, inaccurate information is corroding the public discourse. It seems that whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, the anxiety about truth in media is a common thread that binds the state’s electorate.
While voters are largely in agreement about the rise of misinformation, they are much more divided when it comes to the health of the local news ecosystem. The data shows a fractured landscape: roughly a third of residents feel that local news coverage in their area has withered away over the last five years, while an equal portion believes it has actually grown. Interestingly, these perceptions shift based on geography and party lines. For example, urbanites and those living near the Jersey Shore are more optimistic about the availability of news, whereas Democrats appear more concerned about the decline of local reporting compared to their Republican counterparts. This suggests that the “news desert” phenomenon isn’t hitting every neighborhood in New Jersey equally, leaving some residents feeling well-informed while others feel increasingly disconnected from their own local government.
When it comes to where people actually turn for their information, the habits of New Jerseyans are as diverse as the state itself. While the era of the printed morning paper might be fading, it hasn’t been replaced by a single digital king. Search engines like Google are the most frequent starting point for residents, followed closely by word-of-mouth from friends and family—a classic method that remains incredibly potent in the digital age. National news outlets and local television stations continue to hold a significant share of the audience as well. Yet, beneath these major sources lies an explosion of smaller channels, from local podcasts and online-only news sites to community newsletters and social media platforms, each vying for a slice of the public’s attention in an increasingly crowded media market.
The challenge, however, isn’t just finding news; it’s trusting it once you’ve found it. The poll reveals a fascinating hierarchy of credibility. Residents place the highest levels of trust in institutions that feel personal or mission-driven, such as religious communities, public radio, and community organizations. Conversely, the “trust gap” widens significantly when people look toward social media. While many people consume information on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok, they are far more skeptical of what they read there. Facebook, in particular, suffers from a notable lack of faith, with less than half of its users trusting the accuracy of the local information it provides. It’s clear that New Jerseyans are navigating a “trust economy,” where they are consciously—or perhaps subconsciously—weighing the reliability of their sources every time they scroll.
The importance of this issue cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to the nuts and bolts of daily life. Lisa Sahulka of the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium emphasizes that with the decline of national print media, the burden falls more heavily on local news to keep the public informed about the local decisions that truly hit home. When community members aren’t sure where to turn for accurate news about their schools, local taxes, or municipal development, the risk of misinformation filling those gaps becomes a critical threat to civic health. Sahulka’s sentiment suggests that there is a profound opportunity here: as organizations and media outlets look to the future, they have a clear mandate to reach audiences where they are—whether that’s on a social app or a public access channel—to ensure the public remains adequately informed.
Ultimately, this Rutgers-Eagleton poll serves as an urgent reminder that democracy requires a shared foundation of facts. New Jerseyans are clearly hungry for reliable information, yet they aren’t fully confident that they are getting it. As the state moves forward, the focus must shift toward stabilizing the local news industry and rebuilding the bridges of trust that have been eroded by the digital age. By identifying exactly where voters are looking and where they feel let down, policymakers and local news advocates have a roadmap to help bridge the divide. Strengthening local journalism isn’t just about keeping newspapers in business; it’s about giving communities the tools they need to separate reality from fiction and effectively participate in the democratic process.