Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About Shore News Network
Welcome to the Shore News Network FAQ. Here you’ll find answers to common questions about our newsroom, editorial process, reporting standards, corrections, and how you can contact or work with us.
What is Shore News Network?
Shore News Network is an independently owned digital news organization covering New Jersey, public safety, local government, politics, courts, business, weather, and community news. Our mission is to provide timely, accurate, and original journalism that informs the communities we serve. (Shore News Network)
Who owns Shore News Network?
Shore News Network is owned and operated by Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd., an independent media company based in New Jersey. The newsroom is led by Founder, Publisher, and Editor Phil Stilton, who maintains editorial oversight and final responsibility for published content. (Shore News Network)
Where is Shore News Network located?
Our newsroom mailing address is:
Shore News Network
155 Willowbrook Blvd., Suite 110
Wayne, NJ 07470
Editorial inquiries, corrections, and news tips may be sent to news@shorenewsnetwork.com. (Shore News Network)
What areas do you cover?
Our primary coverage area is New Jersey, with a particular focus on Ocean County and surrounding communities. We also report on regional and national stories that have a direct impact on New Jersey residents, including federal policy, consumer issues, public safety, transportation, and major weather events. (Shore News Network)
What types of stories do you publish?
Shore News Network covers:
- Breaking news
- Public safety
- Crime and courts
- Local government
- New Jersey politics
- Consumer news
- Business
- Transportation
- Weather
- Community events
- Investigative and accountability reporting
Is your reporting original?
Yes. Original journalism is the foundation of our newsroom.
Our reporting includes coverage based on public records, court filings, government documents, interviews, official statements, emergency communications, and firsthand reporting. When we use press releases or information from outside sources, those materials are independently reviewed and clearly identified where appropriate. (Shore News Network)
How do you verify information?
Accuracy is our highest priority.
Before publication, our editorial staff reviews information using one or more of the following:
- Official government sources
- Law enforcement agencies
- Court records
- Public documents
- Direct interviews
- Multiple-source verification when appropriate
Developing stories are updated as additional verified information becomes available. (Shore News Network)
Do you use Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Yes, but only under strict editorial guidelines.
AI tools may assist with tasks such as grammar review, transcription, headline suggestions, or article formatting. Every AI-assisted article is reviewed, fact-checked, and approved by a human editor before publication. AI is never permitted to publish stories without human editorial oversight. (Shore News Network)
How can I submit a news tip?
We welcome news tips from readers, public officials, businesses, and community organizations.
Email:
Please include as much information as possible, including dates, locations, supporting documents, photographs (if you own the rights), and contact information so our newsroom can verify the information.
How do I request a correction?
Accuracy matters.
If you believe an article contains an error, email:
Please include:
- A link to the article
- The information you believe is incorrect
- Supporting documentation, if available
Our editorial staff reviews correction requests promptly and updates articles when warranted. (Shore News Network)
How quickly are breaking news stories updated?
Breaking news is updated as verified information becomes available.
Early reports often contain limited information. Rather than waiting for an investigation to conclude, we publish verified facts and continue updating stories as officials release additional details.
Does Shore News Network publish opinion pieces?
Our primary focus is factual news reporting.
Opinion articles are published only in limited circumstances and are clearly identified so readers can distinguish opinion from straight news coverage. (Shore News Network)
Do advertisers influence your reporting?
No.
Editorial decisions are made independently by our newsroom. Advertising and sponsorships do not determine what stories we cover or how they are reported.
Can I republish Shore News Network articles?
Unless otherwise permitted by law or written agreement, Shore News Network content is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission. Brief quotations with proper attribution are generally permitted under applicable copyright principles. For licensing inquiries, contact news@shorenewsnetwork.com. (Shore News Network)
Can I send photos or videos?
Yes.
If you captured photos or video of a news event and own the rights to the material, you may submit them for editorial review.
Please include:
- Your name
- Date and location
- Description of the event
- Confirmation that you own the copyright
How can I contact a reporter or editor?
For all editorial inquiries, interview requests, corrections, and story ideas, please email:
or call:
732-333-3208 (Shore News Network)
How can my business advertise with Shore News Network?
Businesses interested in advertising opportunities, sponsored content, or marketing partnerships may contact our team through the newsroom email. Advertising is handled separately from editorial operations to maintain editorial independence. Email news@shorenewsnetwork.com
Why should I trust Shore News Network?
Trust is earned through transparency and consistency.
Shore News Network is committed to:
- Independent ownership
- Original reporting
- Human editorial oversight
- Transparent corrections
- Source verification
- Ethical journalism
- Responsible use of AI
- Clear separation of news, opinion, advertising, and sponsored content
Our editorial standards, ethics policy, and corrections process are publicly available because we believe readers deserve to understand how our journalism is produced. (Shore News Network)
Does Frank Sadeghi Own Shore News Network?
No, Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi does not, and never has been a partner, owner, or connected to Shore News Network. In 2018, we discussed a deal with the commissioner, but both parties agreed not to proceed. We continue to maintain a friendly relationship with the commissioner. This information was published by a false, politically motivated, and funded ‘news article’ by our main local competitor, Toms River Patch, and their local editor, Karen Wall. We have repeatedly alerted Karen Wall to her incorrect and libelous reporting, and she and Patch have refused to correct the record, signaling their bias against our publication. Patch received $10,000.00 from the Mo Hill campaign, and that article was directed by local politicians who had an axe to grind against SNN for our investigative journalism. Patch has become largely irrelevant in the local media landscape since AOL sold the property.
Is Shore News Network Connected to Jersey Coast Emergency News
No, Shore News Network has absolutely no relationship to Jersey Coast Emergency News. In fact, we, along with other media outlets, have had to correct false stories from that outlet on several occasions.
Is Shore News Network the “Fox News of New Jersey”
Once again, this was a false narrative published by Patch reporter Karen Wall in a politically funded hit piece she created to harm what she saw at the time as her chief business competitor. Shore News Network has never once described itself as the “Fox News of New Jersey”. Other people have. We are not the Fox News of New Jersey, because we’re better than Fox News. We are truly a freedom-loving platform that isn’t over-commercialized and out of touch. Karen Wall hates Shore News Network. Despite Patch’s threats to “Shut Down Shore News Network” made by Wall’s predecessor, they have not only failed to shut us down, but they have also become irrelevant and insignificant.
When Patch launched, we approached them with our idea of a local news network where all independent publishers worked together to get an upperhand on the then-dominant mainstream media.
Then Toms River Patch editor Catherine Galliatto responded, “Why would we do that? We’re going to put you all out of business.”
And that has been our relationship with Patch. They are big-corporation backed media that had a future, but ended up in rounds of layoffs before former owner AOL finally sold the sinking ship.
Does Shore News Network “Work” for Jackson or Toms River Government
Shore News Network has an advertisement contract with Toms River Township. Under that agreement, we publish advertisements for recreation, public works, senior programs, concerts, and allow the township to publish press releases (clearly identified as township communications. We do not write content for Toms River Township.
Shore News Network has no affiliation with the Jackson Township government. While we did have a contract for public information services in 2024-25, there was a mutual decision to not continue that relationship for reasons of disagreement with the direction of Jackson Township. Shore News Network has since filed a tort claim against Jackson Mayor Jennifer Kuhn who falsely accused editor Phil Stilton of Blackmailing her in a NJ.com article.
That incident involved Mayor Kuhn sharing a video with SNN showing her getting assaulted by a family member upset with “How can you do this to your town”
Mayor Kuhn, under the township contract, asked SNN our opinion on how that video would play out in the media and public domain if her attacker were to release it. We advised her that it was probably a non-issue and could possibly garner sympathy. We advised the mayor to talk it over with her family member to prevent the release since the video involved children, too.
We are not sure what happened after that, as the matter was never discussed again with the mayor. That video was shared in the fall of 2025 by the mayor. In Feb. 2026, after having ceased communicating with Kuhn for nearly three months, the mayor fabricated the false story on social media after SNN began criticizing recent actions and reporting on lawsuits the mayor was involved in personally and in her role as mayor. Shore News Network is currently investigating the path of a lawsuit against the township and the mayor for her reckless, libelous, and slanderous false attack. We have given her plenty of opportunity to retract the claim, but so far, she has refused to do so, continuing to allow the lies she made to propagate on the internet.
In the time since, Kuhn and Jackson Township tried to blackmail and extort SNN by withholding contract payments, offering alternative and deceitful funding solutions, and even county contracts. Shore News Network declined all of their offers. It was only then, that Kuhn made up her bogus blackmail lie.
Is Shore News Network Owner Phil Stilton a veteran?
Yes. When Stilton was 16, a junior in High School North, he enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves with the 24th Military Intelligence Bn, out of Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island, in the Delayed Entry Program. As a senior in HS, Stilton drilled with the unit on weekends, receiving a Top Secret FBI clearance. The next year, before shipping to Basic Training, Iraq invaded Kuwait and Stilton, as a 17-year-old not sure of what he really wanted, was able to have the U.S. Marine Corps and Army Reserves agree to release and re-enlist in the Marine Corps.
On January 1, 1991, Stilton arrived at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot in South Carolina to begin his tour as a United States Marine as a field Wireman. Stilton graduated and attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune / Camp Geiger. He then attended communications school at Stone Bay, NC, before that training was moved to Twenty Nine Palms, Ca.
Stilton then assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (2nd FSSG) for the duration of the Iraq War drawdown. He then served with Golf Battery, 3rd Bn/14th Marines, as a field wireman. He also served with Tactical Training Exercise Control Group (TTECG) at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms as a comm. specialist and driver for the “coyotes”, a group that trained Marines during Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Exercises (MCAGCX) (now ITX).
Does Phil Stilton have any criminal records?
No, Phil Stilton has never been arrested or accused of any crimes or wrongdoings in his life. In fact, Phil, as an individual, has never stepped foot inside a courtroom for anything more ‘criminal’ than a speeding ticket, and those are even few and far between.
Has Shore News Network ever been sued?
Yes, Shore News Network was sued a small number of times over its 12 year existence.
- A Lakewood Barbershop sued SNN for “Slander” and “Libel” because they reported on the charges against the barbershop owner who claimed that SNN’s title, “Black Market Barbershop” was “Racist”. A superior court judge ruled the story was true and factual and dimissed the case through summary judgment.
- Former US Senate Candidate Rik Mehta sued Shore News Network claiming that the company was operating as a political operative for his opponent Hirsh Singh. Shortly after filing the lawsuit, Mehta dropped the case against SNN after being presented with evidence that his claim was bogus. SNN agreed with Mehta to not countersue for filing a false lawsuit.
- An anonymous complaint was filed with the FEC alleging the same claims as Mehta. The FEC review board dismissed the complaint because it lacked evidence and merit.
- NY Post Photographer Christopher Sadowski filed a copyright claim over police photo used by Shore News Network. That photo was provided to SNN by a police department. We assumed the PD has rights to use and share the photo. When we learned they also used the photo without permission from the known ip/copyright troll, we agreed to settle the claim with Sadowski, pay him for the use of his photo, and the matter was dissmissed.
- Global copyright/ip troll FreedomNewsTV, owned by Ukrainian born Oliya Fedun (AKA Oliya Scootercaster) filed a lawsuit against Shore News Network for legally embedding a YouTube video she shared on the service. After receiving threats from her lawyer and demands for $25,000, SNN hired nationally recognized freedom of speech lawyer Marc Randazza who filed a letter to the plaintiffs citing the legality of the use, and a strongly worded promise to not only defend the case, but to sue Fedun for damages and legal fees. Within days, Fedun dropped her case against Shore News Network.
Has Shore News Network ever sued anyone?
We have never had to sue anyone from our inception until 2026 when two members of the Toms River Township Council decided to abuse their authority and refuse payment for legal and tendered advertising services because they “did not like what we write”. The aggregious violation of the law was answered with a federal civil rights lawsuit to prevent out-of-control government officials to punish media and free speech by extorting local media with threats of non-payment for valid services. A complaint was also filed with the NJ Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. Both cases are still pending.
Shore News Network is considering legal action against Jackson Township’s unelected Interim Mayor Jennifer Kuhn for slanderous and libel comments made on Facebook accusing Shore News Network’s owner of ‘blackmailing’ her with a video she shared showing herself getting beaten up in her own home by her sister-in-law. This never happened, and we have asked her to rescind her false comments. This fall, SNN plans to file a lawsuit against her personally, as the matter was not undertaken with the public interest in mind and was not carried out in her role as mayor. We hope she issues a retraction before we get to that point.
Is Shore News Network a “Far Right” or “Republican News” source?
According to independent media watchdog Allsides.com, Shore News Network is a news media source with an AllSides Media Bias Rating™ of Center.
According to Biasly.com, Shore News Network has a Bias Score of -20% (Somewhat Left), based on a variety of factors, including its policy and politician leanings, article ratings, and the use of biased language. Its Reliability is rated as Average, and additional analytical insights are available in the other tabs.
Shore News Network is rated Right with Mostly Factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
While AI-based fact-checking services are flawed, they confirm that Shore News Network is a center-leaning publication.
Is Shore News Network a “News Aggregator?
When Shore News Network began, we were a “Network” of local news agencies and we often aggregated news from our partners and Reuters. Since 2023, Shore News Network ceased all news aggregation and now relies on authentically locally created news, human interest stories, politics and crime. SNN no longer has any active aggregation or news aggegrator feeds.