Longtime New Jersey political reporter David Cruz has been terminated from his position at NJ Spotlight News and NJ PBS, the WNET Group announced today.
According to a WNET statement, the decision was made after Cruz appeared last week at a virtual meeting of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, during which Cruz personally criticized New Jersey Globe editor David Wildstein and Wildstein’s effort to initiate another debate in the ongoing New Jersey gubernatorial election.
“Cruz was not assigned to cover the meeting and testified without the knowledge or authorization of NJ PBS or NJ Spotlight News, in violation of company policy and journalistic standards requiring impartiality,” the WNET Group said.
The statement added that Cruz’s recent stories and programs are “under review.”
“We appreciate David’s contributions to NJ PBS and NJ Spotlight News,” WNET said. “This decision is regrettable but unavoidable, as we must hold ourselves to the highest journalistic standards.”
Cruz has spent more than three decades covering New Jersey politics, beginning his career at Hudson County outlets like North Hudson News and the Hudson Reporter. In 2011, he joined NJ Spotlight News, where he became one of the outlet’s most prominent reporters; he hosted two of the network’s weekly public affairs shows, Chat Box and Reporters Roundtable.
In the wake of both federal and state cuts, NJ Spotlight News and NJ PBS are facing a budget crisis. Last month, WNET failed to reach an agreement with the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority, potentially forcing the network to shut down in July 2026.
