Mike Rispoli

News Voices Director

Mike directs Free Press’ News Voices project, which connects local communities and the newsrooms that serve them via public engagement, advocacy campaigns and collaborative projects. He also teaches journalism as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University. Before joining Free Press, Mike worked for the human-rights organizations Privacy International and Access. Mike also served as the technical editor on the 2015 book You: For Sale, a look at protecting user data and privacy online. In a past life, Mike was a journalist for the Newark Star-Ledger and Gannett Newspapers. Mike received his master’s degree in media studies and media management at the New School in New York City and his bachelor’s degree in journalism at Marist College. Follow him on Twitter @rispolimike.

Blogs

Free Press' News Voices: New Jersey Project Receives Two Awards
Mike Rispoli
February 22, 2018
The Center for Cooperative Media recognized Free Press’ commitment to local innovation and community engagement.
The Big Push to Pass the Civic Info Bill
Mike Rispoli
James L. Thompson
October 19, 2017
As we approach the legislature’s lame-duck session, lawmakers have the opportunity to ensure their constituents can stay up to date on what’s happening in their communities and around the state.
News Voices to Work on Trust, Misinformation at Local Level
Fiona Morgan
Mike Rispoli
October 6, 2017
The News Integrity Initiative has chosen Free Press’ News Voices project as one of its first 10 grantees. This grant will help us explore how communities lose trust in the media — and how to rebuild it.

Recent Press Statements

Top New Jersey Lawmaker Reintroduces the Civic Info Bill to Strengthen Journalism Statewide
March 5, 2018
TRENTON — On Monday, New Jersey State Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald reintroduced the Civic Info Bill. The legislation would establish and fund the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC), an initiative uniting several of New Jersey’s leading higher-education institutions to invest in projects that would strengthen local news coverage, community information, civic technology and civic engagement across the state.
Statehouse Leaders Pledge to Reintroduce New Jersey's 'Civic Info Bill'
December 19, 2017
TRENTON — On Tuesday, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald announced plans to introduce a new version of the “Civic Info Bill” in the 2018 session.
Advocates Converge in Trenton for a Day of Action in Support of New Jersey's Civic Information Bill
June 19, 2017
TRENTON — On Monday, advocates rallied in Trenton in support of legislation that would use millions in proceeds from the recent spectrum auction to help fix New Jersey’s local news crisis.

In the News

Good Journalism Won't Be Enough
Nieman Lab
December 13, 2017
"If journalists want the public to listen, then journalists have to listen to the public. If journalists want the public to care, then journalists have to care about the public."
Hoping a New Jersey Windfall Will Help New Jersey Journalism
Philadelphia Inquirer
November 21, 2017
Should New Jersey use nearly a third of a $332-million windfall to bolster and expand local journalism across the state?

Absolutely!
Building Bridges Across the Editorial Divide
Toronto Star
October 10, 2017
How to strengthen journalism? Collaborations in Montreal and New Jersey promise more voices, more expertise and deeper understanding.