CONTACT: 
Lana Lee | Advocates for Children of NJ | (973) 643-3876 (office) | (609) 651-5855 (cell) | llee@acnj.org

Census Bureau urged to fund media buys in NJ-specific outlets, especially those that serve ethnic and hard-to-count communities

December 18, 2019 - When the U.S. Census Bureau announced its paid media advertising campaign last week to promote the upcoming 2020 Census, many New Jersey-specific outlets were left off of the Bureau’s proposed media ad buy, targeting statewide as well as multilingual and community news sources. View full list of outlets included in media buy. 

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is urging the Census Bureau to fund media buys in New Jersey's local outlets, especially those that serve ethnic and hard-to-count communities. 

View sign-on letter addressed to Jeff Behler, Regional Director of the U.S. Census Bureau New York Regional Office

“The Bureau’s focus on New York-based and Pennsylvania-based outlets leaves out a number of organizations that provide local coverage that New Jersey residents prefer and regularly use. Local newspapers and media sources remain the backbone of many New Jerseyans’ media consumption, and very few are included in the Census media buy,” said Peter Chen, ACNJ policy counsel.

“Given that roughly one-quarter of New Jersey’s 9 million residents live in hard-to-count areas, New Jersey-specific outlets must be included in the Census Bureau’s New York regional media outreach if it is to be successful.”

A Monmouth University poll found that New Jersey residents seek out New Jersey-specific news sources. In polling on the media diet of New Jersey residents, most gave negative ratings to network affiliates in New York and Philadelphia.

Media outlets are encouraged to submit comments to the Census Bureau’s New York Regional Office (New.York.Regional.Office@census.gov) to inform them of what areas, communities and media sources they may have missed in their media buy. 

###

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is a statewide child research and action organization. ACNJ works work with local, state and federal leaders to identify and implement changes that will benefit New Jersey's children. For more information, visit acnj.org.