N.J. legislators demand overhaul of NJTV network

Two New Jersey Assemblymen who had attempted to stop the sale of the state’s public broadcasting rights to WNET are now calling for an overhaul of the NJTV network, reports NJ.com, saying it fails to provide residents with state news coverage. Patrick Diegnan Jr. and John Burzichelli gave examples: When the governor was announcing his presidential plans, the network aired Angelina Ballerina; and during coverage of the death of an elder statesman in the Assembly, it ran Thomas the Train. “Given the gravity of the situation, NJTV has become the ultimate ‘Jersey Joke,'" Diegnan said.

UPDATE: NJTV issued a statement, saying in part that "upon the death of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, the network made the editorial decision to cover the day's eulogy remarks as breaking news. NJTV aired a one-hour live broadcast from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. anchored by NJ Today's Managing Editor Mike Schneider, and included eulogy remarks from legislators and the governor. Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron was present in the Assembly chamber, covering reaction to the Minority Leader's death." NJTV also dedicated its entire evening broadcast of NJ Today to the day's events in Trenton, which can be viewed online.