Next steps (and responses to your questions) after our 34th District forum cancellation

Two weeks ago, we shared that The Jersey Bee canceled a community forum planned for residents of New Jersey’s 34th District after it was disrupted by sustained political interference.

In our statement, we shared that local elected officials “did not take us up on our invitation, refused to collaborate, and [tried] to undermine the event, pressuring panelists, organizers, and even The Jersey Bee’s funders.”

Since then, we’ve heard from press freedom organizations, funders, subscribers, journalists – and even my barber – asking what happened and what’s next.

We’re sharing responses to some of the questions we received so we can work together to build a culture of accountability, community, and connection that politicians cannot disrupt.

Why should I donate if The Jersey Bee backed down?

The Jersey Bee isn’t backing down. Moving forward with the event would have cost more time and political capital. Both are limited resources at The Jersey Bee. Political interference limited our capacity and the connections we needed to make this event welcoming and productive. Without that, the event wasn’t possible.

Instead, we’re rallying to ensure no one can shut down independent spaces for community dialogue.

The Jersey Bee spent dozens of hours organizing the event before political interference derailed it. That’s a few thousand dollars of staff time we invested in preparation to gather residents of the 34th District, including Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley, and Orange.

We’re still committed to bringing people together across borders to discuss shared problems and learn ways to work towards solutions together. But it will have to look like something other than this particular event.

We’ll host smaller gatherings over the next year to hear from local residents and build towards a larger event and community conversation. 

That’s why we asked for your support – so we can take the time to turn this loss into a win.

Will you share the names of people who pressured The Jersey Bee and others?

No, The Jersey Bee won’t share the name of the politician or politicians who pressured us and our affiliates.

We shared details about the cancellation because we have a responsibility to be transparent about why we make the decisions we do. Pointing to a specific person or group of people would not adequately address the culture that enabled their behavior. Systems are failing New Jerseyans – not just individual politicians.

Naming specific people would also further endanger The Jersey Bee and our allies. It’s not an action that would help us make progress on this.

How does The Jersey Bee earn money?

The Jersey Bee is a nonprofit and is primarily funded by large grants and individual donations. 

We apply for large grants from charitable foundations by showing how we’re meeting local information needs, increasing civic participation, and improving quality of life in our community. 

But it’s also risky for nonprofit news organizations to be primarily funded by foundations because applications aren’t always successful, their goals could change at any time, or a single executive’s preference may sway the foundation’s decision-making.

That’s why we ask people to become monthly or annual donors to help us provide useful local news, resources, and connection.

What can I do other than donating?

The Jersey Bee’s impact is made possible by everyone who participates in our mission to inform and connect our community. Here are other ways you can support us:

• Sign up for local or statewide newsletters to stay up to date on what’s happening in your community.
• Encourage friends and neighbors to sign up for a newsletter here or follow us on Instagram. We can also be found on most other platforms under @jerseybeenews.
• Host an event or training with The Jersey Bee or invite us to an upcoming gathering by replying to this email or contacting us here.
• Submit news and tips or questions to help us understand how our journalists can best serve you.
• Share this post with someone who cares about civic life in New Jersey.

Local information and connection make our communities more accessible, empowering, and equitable.

I’m looking forward to building that future together.