About The Valley’s Dismal Freedom Press
Our Mission
The Valley’s Dismal Freedom Press investigates public records across California’s Central Valley and East Bay — turning municipal paperwork into civic power.
We publish source documents beside our stories, invite right-of-reply before publication, and follow the money shaping local life. Every headline we print begins with a question from the people who live here.
What We Stand For
We believe truth should travel at the speed of community.
Our newsroom was built to bridge the distance between residents, records, and real accountability. We dig through contracts, budgets, and council minutes — not for spectacle, but for substance.
Core Values
- Family: Connection over competition.
- Community: Shared power, shared wins.
- Irie: Calm, clarity, and grounded confidence.
- Sabor: Real flavor, real people — stories with depth and detail.
- Love: Radical respect for life and story.
- Gratitude: Every win counts, every voice matters.
- Excellence: Lead with facts, bring receipts, win with grace.
Our Roots
Founded under
Rooted Creative Group LLC, The Valley’s Dismal Freedom Press operates independently from political or corporate influence.
Our founders and reporters were raised between the East Bay freeways and the Valley fields — a region that’s too often overlooked until crisis strikes. We cover what affects everyday families: housing, labor, education, infrastructure, and local governance.
Why “Dismal Freedom”?
The name honors
The Great Dismal Swamp, where enslaved Africans and Indigenous people built self-governed maroon communities — living proof that freedom can take root in overlooked soil.
We carry that lineage forward: independent, resourceful, and rooted in truth.
Corrections Policy:
If you spot an error, contact us at
corrections@dismalfreedompress.org.
Verified corrections are posted on the same article page within 48 hours.
Our Reporting Standards
Every story passes through a three-step verification process:
- Documented Evidence — verified public records or data sources.
- Direct Response — right-of-reply given before publication.
- Community Impact Review — we measure how a story informs, not just alarms.
We correct the record when needed and label all datasets with their source and publication date. Our visual policy uses real-world, documentary-style photography — no AI-generated or manipulated imagery.
How We’re Funded
We are funded through:
- Reader donations and subscriptions
- Grants for investigative reporting
- Community sponsorships from small, local businesses
We do not accept undisclosed advertising, political payments, or ghostwritten content.
Transparency is our only sponsor.
Contact & Corrections
Address: 249 Commerce Ave #1042, Manteca, CA 95336
Phone: (209) 425-2677
Email:newsroom@dismalfreedompress.org
Website:www.dismalfreedompress.org
