A Note from Eyes on EB

We truly wish Maureen the best in her retirement, and we apologize in advance for having to even address this, but we felt forced into it, so we offer this response respectfully and with regret. Recently, a social media post circulated around town. It praised the outgoing editor of a local news outlet while slipping in a warning to the public.  It encouraged people to be wary of others who claim to be unbiased reporters. It did not name names, but it was clear who the message was targeting. And when it starts to feel like Eyes on EB is being called out, we will not stay silent.

Bias Versus Being Ill-Informed

Let’s talk about it.

Is it worse to be biased or to be uninformed? That is a serious question. Because while many are quick to declare themselves unbiased, the real issue is whether they were informed enough in the first place. If someone is reporting without a strong understanding of the topic, is that serving the public?

Whether the former editor was biased or not is a matter of personal opinion. However, it has been a criticism that has arisen over the years. Out of professional courtesy, Eyes on EB has never commented publicly and has rarely spoken privately about that issue. We have chosen instead to stay focused on our work.

At Eyes on EB, we do not aim to be the center of attention. We strive to get it right. Most of our stories include links to public records, meeting documents, or other downloadable sources. You do not need to take our word for anything. You can verify it for yourself.

And yes, we like to have fun when it’s appropriate and be serious when it’s necessary. That is why our tagline is simple. We only take serious topics seriously.

Why Eyes on EB Exists

Eyes on EB was not born out of ambition. It was born out of frustration. People in town were tired of one-sided reporting, missing facts, and stories that left more questions than answers. We are the result of a community that felt ignored.

We understand why some people do not like us. We have disrupted the usual flow. The people who used to control the narrative now have to answer to someone. That has made things uncomfortable for them. But we are not here to make things easy. We are here to tell the whole story.

Truthfully, this was supposed to be fun. We started off posting goofy things and light-hearted content. We never intended for it to get this serious. However, as more and more residents began asking us to investigate things that no one else would, we stepped up. Not because we wanted to. Because someone had to.

We are not here to be liked. We are not here to be loved. We’re here to start conversations. Sometimes that means being uncomfortable. That is part of the job.

We Do the Homework or We Find the People Who Did

A perfect example of how we work is the recent issue with the reading curriculum. We understood early on that we were not the best equipped to explain it in full. So we partnered with someone who had spent months researching it. Thanks to their work, we were able to publish a much more precise and more accurate story than what was being offered elsewhere.

That is not an insult. That is just the truth. And for the record, Eyes on EB has never attacked any of our competitors. We never throw shade. We are not interested in drama….well maybe a little. We are interested in facts.

Most of the time, when our stories stir up controversy, it is because a significant part of the story is being left out elsewhere. That is why people send us information in the first place. Not for clicks. Not for credit. However, they believe the public deserves better.

Inside Sources Exist for a Reason

From time to time, we receive tips from inside the system. These sources include teachers, parents, employees, and even past board members. When they reach out, it is usually because they believe the whole truth is not being shared. We protect these sources because they are often risking something just by coming forward.

We have also been fortunate to receive help from local professionals. Attorneys in town and other subject matter experts have been generous with their time, their insights, and their access to information that we do not have. Without that support, many of our stories would not be possible.

And yes, sometimes we get something a little off. It happens. But overall, our track record has been solid. We have shelved numerous stories because something just didn’t feel right. We did not have that missing piece. And if we are not confident in the story, we do not run it.

The Era of Unchecked Narratives Is Over

There was a time in East Brunswick when specific platforms could say whatever they wanted, and no one would challenge it. That time is over. The public is paying attention now. People want details. They want transparency. And they want accountability. When someone distorts the truth or omits crucial facts, we step in.

We did not want to write this post. We are not here for drama. But sometimes silence gets mistaken for guilt. And we are not guilty of anything other than doing the work.

Eyes on EB is not here for attention. We are here because the community needed something different.

And One Last Thing

Let us be clear. The recent public shots did not come from the outgoing editor herself. They came from someone close to her. A supporter. Maybe a friend. That matters.

If posting about someone’s departure and warning others to be careful about unnamed “reporters” makes you feel better, so be it. But let’s be honest. That kind of behavior is not about journalism. It is about control. It is about needing to feel important.

It resembles a real condition. Something like narrative control fatigue. Or storyline relevance syndrome. We are not here to diagnose anyone. We are committed to continuing our work.

We will continue to cover the stories that matter. We will continue to tell the whole truth, not the convenient version. And we will continue to stand up for the people who expect more from their local media.

The people built eyes on EB. It will continue to serve the people. Whether sure folks like it or not.