“This is another destabilizing setback to a news sector that has experienced recurring obstacles to its ability to keep the public knowledgeably informed. For NJ PBS, the federal government’s decision to cancel funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was the devastating blow.

“The shutdown of public TV in New Jersey will have real-life consequences, depriving the state’s residents of invaluable news and educational programming. The television network has played a pivotal role in New Jersey, bridging the divide between New York and Philadelphia with trusted information relevant to the lives and civic activities of the state’s residents.

“State government needs to engage in a top-to-bottom analysis of public television in New Jersey to determine what can and should be done to maintain the type of services the network has provided. We should assemble a working group of the best minds on this issue to find new ways to meet the challenges that confront public broadcasting.

“We need to decide what role we want public TV to play in New Jersey, what is needed to make it viable and what sources of support will be available. The bottom line is: Do we want public broadcasting to thrive and, if we do, what needs to be done to preserve and sustain its operations?”