Editorial Standards & Corrections

The Sumter Dispatch is independent local news for Sumter, South Carolina, founded by journalist Marvin Rashaad. These are the standards we hold ourselves to — and how to reach us if we ever fall short.

Who we are, and who we answer to

The Sumter Dispatch is owned and operated by Marvin Rashaad through Red Dragon Creations LLC, based in Sumter. We are not owned or controlled by any political party, campaign, political action committee, or outside interest, and no advertiser or supporter has any say over what we cover or how we cover it. Our job is to report on Sumter honestly, clearly, and fairly.

How we report

We verify before we publish. We confirm facts with original documents, named sources, and on-the-record interviews wherever possible, and we attribute information so you can judge it for yourself. We quote people accurately and in context. When we can't confirm something, we keep reporting or tell you plainly what we do and don't yet know. We don't publish rumor as fact.

Corrections and clarifications

We sometimes get things wrong, and when we do, we fix it openly — correcting the error promptly and noting what changed. Spotted something wrong? Email rashaadml@reddragonfiction.com with the story and the specific detail you believe is inaccurate. We read and respond to every correction request.

Opinion versus news

We keep the two clearly separated. News reporting aims to be fair and accurate. Opinion, commentary, and editorials are clearly labeled so you always know which one you're reading.

Advertising, sponsorship, and support

Local support keeps this publication alive, and we keep it clearly marked. Advertisements and sponsorships are always distinguishable from news, including "Supported by …" credit lines where they apply. Backing The Sumter Dispatch never buys favorable coverage and never shields anyone from it.

How we use AI

We use AI tools to help with tasks like outlining, drafting, and editing — but the journalism, the judgment, and the responsibility are ours, and every fact is checked by a person before it is published. We do not use AI-generated images, video, or audio to depict something real that did not happen; any AI-assisted visual used for illustration is clearly meant as illustration, never presented as a real photo, recording, or event.

Fairness, privacy, and minimizing harm

We give people a fair chance to respond before publishing something critical of them. We weigh the public's need to know against the harm a story can cause, and we take special care with private individuals, victims, and minors.

Contact and tips

Have a story Sumter should know about — a meeting, an issue, a person worth covering? Reach us at rashaadml@reddragonfiction.com.