Its original purpose was "to assess the performance of journalism in all its forms, to call attention to its shortcomings and strengths, and to help define—or redefine—standards of honest, responsible service.

In October 2015, it was announced that the publishing frequency of the print magazine was being reduced from six to two issues per year in order to focus on its digital operations.

The previous chairman of the magazine was Victor Navasky, a professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and former editor and publisher of the politically progressive The Nation.

Donations to the CJR in the past three years have included about $1.25 million from a group of news veterans headed by former Philadelphia Inquirer executive editor Gene Roberts.

[5] Subscriptions to an Internet newsletter entitled The Media Today have begun,[6] but as of 2017, enrollment numbers are not available and do not contribute to these circulation figures.