NEWARK, NJ – Stephanie Faughnan of JerseyShoreOnline.com has been awarded first place for Best Coverage of County Government in the 2025 New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists (NJ-SPJ) Excellence in Journalism Awards. Faughnan earned the top honor for her in-depth report, “Commissioners Allocate Funds for Unhoused,” which examined how county leaders are directing resources to address homelessness.
“It is important to me to always present all sides of every issue. Integrity in journalism is critical,” Faughnan said.
The NJ-SPJ announced the winners after reviewing nearly 200 submissions from media outlets across New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia. The annual competition recognizes outstanding reporting, writing, and multimedia work across multiple categories and platforms.
“This is easily the biggest contest we’ve had since relaunching it four years ago,” said NJ-SPJ President P. Kenneth Burns. “Our judges continue to be impressed by the quality of journalism that comes from our state and the metro areas around it. Reporters in New Jersey should be proud of the work they do every day.”
Burns also noted that while the organization could not hold its traditional in-person ceremony this year, plans are underway to celebrate the winners at a later date.
Faughnan’s reporting on county government stood out for its clarity and public service focus, continuing a tradition of strong local journalism along the Jersey Shore.