Editorial & Ethics Policy

Publication: The Dupree Report (TDR)

Website: thedupreereport.com

Editor-in-Chief: Wayne Dupree Last Updated: April 2026

Our Mission

The Dupree Report is an independent news and commentary publication dedicated to original reporting, factual analysis, and accountability journalism. Our editorial standard is #TruthOverSpin — delivering accurate, well-sourced information without partisan bias or ideological agenda. We do not serve a political party, corporation, or special interest. We serve our readers.

If our audience cannot trust the content we produce, we have no reason to exist as a publication. Every standard in this document exists to protect that trust.

Editorial Independence

The Dupree Report is independently owned and operated by Wayne Dupree. No outside organization, political party, advertiser, or sponsor directs, influences, or controls our editorial decisions. Advertising and sponsorship relationships, when they exist, are kept strictly separate from our news coverage. Sponsored content, if published, is clearly labeled as such and does not involve our editorial staff.

We should not allow the interests of advertisers or any funding source to affect the integrity of our journalism under any circumstances.

Nature of Our Journalism

The Dupree Report serves readers who are politically independent — Americans who feel underserved by partisan media on both sides. We apply the same editorial scrutiny to all parties, administrations, and institutions regardless of political affiliation.

We believe transparency about our perspective is more honest than hiding behind a false claim of total neutrality. Wayne Dupree is an independent journalist and U.S. Air Force veteran whose experiences inform his coverage priorities — particularly on military affairs, national security, and veterans issues. That perspective is always disclosed and never compromises factual accuracy.

We produce three distinct content types, and we clearly label each:

News Reporting — Factual, sourced, objective in voice
Analysis — Fact-based examination of context, patterns, and implications
Opinion/Commentary — Clearly labeled; reflects the views of the named author only

Standards for Accuracy

Accuracy is non-negotiable at The Dupree Report. Before publishing any factual claim, we ask:

How do we know this?
How can we be certain?
Where is the evidence?
Who is the source, and how do they know?
What is the supporting documentation?

All factual claims must be verified through primary sources, official records, or multiple credible independent sources. We link directly to original source material so readers can verify information themselves.

Original sources — We rely on firsthand accounts, official documents, academic records, court filings, government data, and direct statements from named sources wherever possible.

Social media sources — Social media posts may be cited as evidence that a statement was made. They should not be treated as independent verification of facts without additional corroboration.

Other news organizations — Reports from credible outlets may signal that we should gather and confirm facts ourselves. When we independently verify facts, we become an original source. When we rely on a single outlet we have not independently verified, we clearly note that in the article (e.g., “According to reporting by…”).

Wikipedia and user-edited websites are not acceptable sources.

We do not publish rumors, unverified claims, or speculation presented as fact.

Source Transparency

We identify sources by name wherever possible.
When sources request anonymity, we require a compelling journalistic reason and editorial approval. We do not grant anonymity for political attacks, unverifiable claims, or personal grievances.
We distinguish clearly between named sources, anonymous sources, and official records in all reporting.
We disclose any known conflict of interest a source may have when it is relevant to the story.
We make a reasonable effort to contact subjects of criticism before publication to give them an opportunity to respond.

Confidential Sources

Confidential sources may be used sparingly when important information cannot be obtained through on-the-record sources.

The identity of any unnamed source must be known to the editor-in-chief before publication.
We disclose to readers the general reason for granting confidentiality (e.g., fear for employment or safety).
We do not publish the opinions of unnamed sources — only verifiable factual information.
We do not approach sources with an offer of confidentiality. All interviews are assumed to be on the record unless the source specifically requests otherwise.
We are specific about the terms of any confidentiality agreement and do not make promises we cannot keep.

Corrections Policy

The Dupree Report is committed to correcting errors promptly, completely, and visibly.

When a factual error is identified, we correct it as quickly as possible.
Corrections clearly state: (1) the correct information, (2) what was previously reported incorrectly, and (3) when the correction was made.
Corrections appear at the bottom of the article for minor errors, and at the top for errors that materially affect the story.
Significant corrections are noted on our social media platforms.
In cases of severe errors that cannot be adequately corrected, a retraction is issued at the top of the story with a full accounting of what was wrong and why.
Readers may report errors at: [email protected]

We do not quietly delete or alter content without disclosure. Changes to published articles are always noted.

Headlines and Social Media Standards

Headlines must accurately reflect the content of the story. We write compelling, direct headlines — but we do not make promises the story does not deliver.

Headlines should not sensationalize, mislead, or omit essential context.
We do not use deceptive framing to drive clicks.
Social media posts promoting TDR content must reflect the actual story, not an exaggerated version of it.

Photo and Video Standards

We do not edit or manipulate images in ways intended to deceive or alter their meaning.
We clearly label handout photos or images provided by government agencies or organizations.
We make a reasonable effort to verify photos or videos sourced from social media before publishing.
Unverified images may be published if they are in the public interest, provided we disclose that they have not been independently verified.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

The Dupree Report uses AI-assisted tools in the research, drafting, and production of content. The following standards apply to all AI-assisted work:

All AI-assisted content is reviewed, edited, and approved by a human editor before publication.
Final editorial responsibility rests with Wayne Dupree.
AI tools do not replace source verification, human judgment, or editorial oversight.
Factual claims generated by AI tools are independently verified before publication.
AI is never used to fabricate quotes, sources, or events.

Plagiarism and Attribution

Plagiarism is a serious ethical violation and grounds for immediate removal of content and termination of any contributor relationship.

When using someone’s exact words, we use quotation marks and attribute the source.
We always cite and link to original source material.
We do not reproduce substantial passages from other publications without attribution and clear fair use justification.
When facts are gathered from another outlet that originally broke a story, we credit that outlet even when we have independently verified the facts.
We vary wording from source material even when taking basic facts — we do not copy sentence structure or phrasing.

Opinion and Commentary

All opinion and commentary pieces are clearly labeled before the body of the article.
Opinion reflects the views of the named author and does not necessarily represent the editorial position of The Dupree Report.
Commentary must be grounded in verifiable facts even when reaching different conclusions from mainstream coverage.
We do not publish opinion that promotes violence, dehumanizes any group, or presents fabricated facts as real.

Privacy Standards

We treat all content publicly posted on social media or public internet sources as fair game for news coverage.
We hold private individuals thrust into public situations to a higher standard of privacy protection than public figures and officials.
We do not publish the names of sexual assault victims unless they choose to speak on the record.
We do not publish names of deceased individuals in breaking news situations until families have been notified and authorities have released the information.
We exercise particular care when covering children, trauma victims, or vulnerable sources.

Sensitive Content

Graphic, disturbing, or sexually explicit material is only published when there is a clear and demonstrable public interest.
We provide clear content warnings before graphic material.
We do not publish content designed to titillate, shock without purpose, or exploit tragedy.
We cover mental health and suicide as public health issues and include crisis resources when relevant.

Diversity of Perspective

The Dupree Report actively seeks diverse sources and viewpoints across race, background, geography, and political perspective. Including different voices is not a political exercise — it is how we get closer to the truth. We apply this standard to every story.

Conflicts of Interest

Contributors must disclose any personal, financial, or professional relationship with subjects they cover.
The Dupree Report does not accept payment for editorial coverage.
Advertising relationships do not influence story selection, framing, or conclusions.
Wayne Dupree’s military service background is disclosed as relevant context for national security and veterans coverage.

Contact & Accountability

Editorial inquiries, tips, and corrections: [email protected]

Website: thedupreereport.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Wayne Dupree Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Social: X: @realwaynedupree Substack: @realwaynedupree YouTube: @WayneDupreeShow Rumble: WayneDupreeShow

This policy was developed with reference to industry standards including the Online News Association’s Build-Your-Own Ethics Code framework. It is reviewed and updated periodically to reflect the evolving standards of independent journalism.