Fact-Checking Policy

Effective Date: July 2026

At Shore News Network, accuracy is the foundation of our reporting. We are committed to publishing truthful, well-sourced journalism and correcting errors promptly when they occur. This policy explains how we verify information before publication and how readers can report potential inaccuracies.

Our Standards

Our newsroom strives to ensure every article is:

  • Factually accurate.
  • Fair and presented in proper context.
  • Based on verifiable information.
  • Clearly sourced.
  • Updated when new verified information becomes available.

We distinguish between verified facts, official statements, allegations, opinions, and analysis.

How We Verify Information

Whenever possible, our reporting relies on primary sources, including:

  • Police reports
  • Court records and filings
  • Government documents
  • Public meeting agendas and minutes
  • Official press releases
  • Public records requests (OPRA, FOIA, etc.)
  • Direct interviews with public officials, witnesses, or involved parties

When reporting on breaking news, information may be based on preliminary official statements. Articles are updated as investigations develop and additional facts become available.

Attribution

We attribute factual claims to their source whenever appropriate.

Examples include:

  • According to the New Jersey State Police…
  • Court records filed in Ocean County Superior Court show…
  • The Department of Justice said…
  • The mayor said during Tuesday night’s council meeting…

When information cannot yet be independently verified, we clearly state that.

Anonymous Sources

We rarely use anonymous sources.

Anonymous sources are considered only when:

  • The information is newsworthy.
  • The source has direct knowledge.
  • There is a legitimate risk of retaliation.
  • The information is independently corroborated whenever possible.

Corrections Policy

Despite our best efforts, mistakes can happen.

When a factual error is confirmed, we will:

  • Correct the article promptly.
  • Update the article with accurate information.
  • Add a correction or editor’s note when the error materially affected the story.

We do not silently alter substantive facts after publication.

Developing Stories

Many breaking news stories evolve quickly.

Early reports may change as additional information becomes available from:

  • Law enforcement
  • Prosecutors
  • Courts
  • Government agencies
  • Emergency responders

Articles may be updated throughout the day to reflect verified developments.

Headlines

Our headlines are written to accurately summarize the reporting contained in the article.

They are designed to be clear and informative while complying with search engine and news platform guidelines.

Opinion vs. News

Opinion pieces, editorials, and commentary are clearly identified.

Straight news reporting is written independently of opinion and is based on verifiable facts and attributed sources.

Artificial Intelligence

Shore News Network may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with tasks such as research organization, transcription, grammar review, SEO optimization, or formatting.

All published content is reviewed by a human editor before publication. AI-generated information is not published without editorial verification against reliable sources.

Reader Feedback

If you believe an article contains an error or requires clarification, we encourage you to contact our editorial team.

Please include:

  • A link to the article
  • The specific information you believe is incorrect
  • Supporting documentation or reliable sources, if available

Editorial inquiries may be sent to:

Email: editor@shorenewsnetwork.com

Editorial Independence

Our editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, political organizations, advocacy groups, and commercial interests.

Acceptance of advertising does not influence our news coverage, investigations, or editorial content.

Commitment to Accuracy

Our goal is to provide timely, trustworthy journalism that readers can rely on. We continually review our reporting standards and update published stories when verified information changes. Accuracy, transparency, and accountability remain central to our newsroom’s mission.