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Suspicion and Distrust Arise from Political Connections of Local News Owners • New Jersey Monitor


Residents of Ridgewood, New Jersey, are raising concerns about the independence and transparency of their local news outlet, TapInto Ridgewood. Jacqueline Hone, a longtime government gadfly, and other residents discovered that their critical comments on Mayor Paul Vagianos’ Facebook page were disappearing, leading to suspicions that the local news publisher, Jason DeAlessi, was censoring content due to his political connections. DeAlessi, who also runs a digital production firm specializing in political campaigns, was authorized to manage the mayor’s Facebook page in 2022 and 2023.

The situation in Ridgewood reflects a larger trend of politically connected publishers and editors infiltrating the local news space, creating what is referred to as “pink slime journalism.” This phenomenon poses a threat to democracy as independent local journalism disappears, allowing misinformation, political polarization, and corruption to thrive.

While TapInto founder Michael Shapiro insists on objectivity and has checks in place to prevent political bias, critics argue that the lack of full disclosure about political ties undermines the credibility of these news outlets. Residents like Anne Loving express concerns about the integrity of the news they receive and the exploitation of public trust by media outlets funded by elected representatives.

The importance of transparency and independence in local journalism is emphasized by experts, who warn of the dire implications for democracy when political agendas overshadow the truth in news coverage. As residents demand accountability and authenticity from their local news sources, the debate over the role of politically connected publishers in shaping the narrative continues in Ridgewood and beyond.

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