DST Stories Articles holds itself to the editorial standards of the finest traditions of American narrative journalism — accuracy, fairness, independence, and accountability — applied to the specific demands of long-form, story-driven content. This Editorial Policy governs all content produced under the DST brand, including work by staff editors, contributing writers, freelancers, and guest essayists.
Editorial Independence
DST’s editorial decisions — what stories we pursue, how we report them, whose voices we center, and what conclusions we draw — are made exclusively on the basis of journalistic and narrative merit. No advertiser, sponsor, donor, investor, or institutional partner has any influence over editorial decisions. A strict firewall separates the commercial operations of DST from its newsroom.
Accuracy
Every factual claim in a DST story must be verified before publication. For narrative journalism and investigative features, our editorial team follows a rigorous multi-source verification process. For personal essays, writers are responsible for the accuracy of factual claims embedded in their first-person accounts; editors flag and verify all externally verifiable facts before publication.
Fairness & Multiple Perspectives
When a DST story includes serious allegations about an individual or institution, DST makes a good-faith effort to provide those parties with an opportunity to respond before publication. The response — or the absence of one — is noted in the story. We do not publish allegations as fact without corroborating evidence.
Voice, Craft & Literary Standards
DST is a storytelling publication. We hold our writers to high standards of craft, narrative structure, and prose. Editors work collaboratively with writers to ensure stories are not only accurate and fair, but told in a way that honors their subject’s humanity. We do not edit stories to be more entertaining at the expense of truth or nuance.
Diversity & Inclusion
DST actively seeks stories from writers and about subjects that represent the full diversity of American and human experience. We specifically commission work from writers of color, LGBTQ+ writers, disabled writers, and writers from communities historically underrepresented in mainstream media. Diversity is an editorial standard, not a quota.
Conflicts of Interest
Staff writers and editors may not write about individuals, organizations, or companies with whom they have a personal or financial relationship without prior disclosure to the Editor-in-Chief. Freelancers and guest contributors must disclose all relevant affiliations, relationships, and potential conflicts before assignment. DST staff may not accept payment, gifts, or hospitality from subjects they are writing about.
Corrections
Errors are corrected transparently and promptly. See the full Corrections & Updates Policy. To report an error: [email protected]
Editorial Complaints
Readers who have concerns about our editorial standards may contact us at [email protected]. All substantive complaints are acknowledged within 5 business days and resolved within 15 business days.