Editorial Standards

Real stories only

Every link on Dumpster Fire points to reporting by an established news organization. We don’t publish rumors, satire presented as news, or stories we can’t source.

Headlines

Our headlines must match what the source reports. We may shorten a headline or remove clickbait phrasing, but we never add facts, numbers, names or quotes that aren’t in the original reporting.

Quotes

We never invent or alter quotes. When we quote someone, the quote comes from the linked source.

Tragedy

Stories about deaths, violence, abuse and disasters are reviewed by a person before they appear, and they’re presented with care. We don’t play tragedies for laughs.

Automation

We use software, including AI, to help find and sort stories and to filter abusive comments. People set the rules, review sensitive stories and handle appeals and corrections.

DF Originals

Our own lists and articles cite their sources at the bottom of every piece, and every item in a list links to where the information came from.

Independence

Advertisers don’t choose or influence our stories. Sponsored content, if we ever run it, will be clearly labeled.