Dismal Freedom Press is committed to producing journalism that is accurate, fair, independent, and transparent. This policy governs the conduct of all staff, contributors, and freelancers who produce content under the Dismal Freedom Press name.
1. Accuracy & Fact-Checking
We verify all facts before publication. Every article undergoes a multi-step editing and fact-checking process. Reporters are required to:
- Verify claims with at least two independent sources when possible
- Attribute all information to named or clearly described sources
- Obtain and review primary documents (records, data, filings) whenever available
- Clearly distinguish between facts, analysis, and opinion
- Never fabricate, plagiarize, or knowingly publish false information
2. Fairness & Balance
We seek comment from all parties mentioned in our reporting, particularly those who may be negatively affected by a story. We provide reasonable time for response and accurately represent all perspectives. We do not suppress relevant facts to favor a particular narrative.
3. Independence & Conflicts of Interest
Editorial decisions are made solely by our newsroom. No funder, advertiser, or outside entity has influence over what we cover or how we cover it.
- Staff members may not cover topics where they have a personal or financial conflict of interest
- All potential conflicts must be disclosed to the Editor-in-Chief
- Staff may not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from sources or subjects of coverage
- Freelance contributors must disclose any potential conflicts before assignment
4. Sources & Confidentiality
We prefer on-the-record sources. When granting anonymity, we clearly explain to readers why the source could not be named. We protect the identity of confidential sources and will resist legal efforts to compel disclosure. Sources are informed of the terms of any agreement (on background, off the record, etc.) before sharing information.
5. Corrections & Accountability
When we make errors, we correct them promptly, clearly, and publicly. All corrections are noted at the top of the affected article and logged on our Corrections page. We distinguish between:
- Corrections: Factual errors that materially affect the story
- Clarifications: Statements that were technically accurate but potentially misleading
- Updates: New information that has emerged since publication
Readers can report errors to corrections@dismalfreedompress.org.
6. Transparency & Funding
We publish our funding sources and financial information annually. We disclose any grants or donations that exceed $1,000. Our funders have no role in editorial decisions. We are transparent about our organizational structure, leadership, and decision-making processes.
7. Digital & Social Media
Staff members' social media activity should not compromise the credibility or impartiality of our journalism. Reporters should not express partisan opinions on platforms where they are identified as DFP staff. All published content on social media must meet the same accuracy standards as our website.
8. Photography & Visual Standards
We do not digitally alter photographs in ways that mislead readers. All images are captioned with accurate descriptions and credited to their source. Stock photography or illustrations are clearly labeled as such. We use images responsibly, especially when covering sensitive topics involving vulnerable communities.
9. Republishing & Attribution
Our original reporting is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 license unless otherwise noted. Other news organizations may republish our work with proper attribution. See our Republishing Guidelines for full details.
Questions about this policy? Contact our Editor-in-Chief at editor@dismalfreedompress.org.
This policy is guided by the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics and the Ethical Journalism Network principles.