Editorial Policy

Our purpose

Ripped & Torn exists to document, celebrate and argue with music, culture, history, fanzines, records, books, people, scenes, stories and ideas that matter to us and our readers.

We are interested in independent culture, underground history, punk, post-punk, alternative music, outsider voices, overlooked stories and the strange corners that do not always fit neatly into the mainstream version of events.

Editorial independence

Our editorial choices are based on relevance, interest, cultural value, historical importance, reader usefulness, personal enthusiasm and archive value.

Commercial relationships, affiliate links, advertising or sponsorship do not automatically guarantee coverage, positive reviews or recommendations.

Where we publish opinion, it should be understood as opinion. We are not pretending to be neutral robots. That would be dull, and probably a bit sinister.

Reviews and recommendations

When we review, recommend or link to records, books, films, events, merchandise, shops, artists, labels, venues or other third-party material, we aim to do so honestly and clearly.

A recommendation on Ripped & Torn does not mean something is perfect, suitable for everyone, permanently available or sold directly by us.

Readers should always check product details, prices, availability, delivery, returns, event dates and other important information directly with the relevant third-party website before buying or booking.

Affiliate links

Some pages on Ripped & Torn may contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links and buy something from a third-party website, Ripped & Torn may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Affiliate links help support the running of the site, but they do not decide our editorial view.

Where practical, affiliate links will be identified with a short disclosure on the relevant page or near the relevant content.

For more information, please see our Affiliate Disclosure.

Sponsored, paid or promotional content

If content is sponsored, paid for, supplied as part of a commercial arrangement, or otherwise commercially influenced, we aim to make this clear to readers.

Sponsored or promotional content should still be relevant to the world of Ripped & Torn and its readers.

We reserve the right to refuse sponsored or promotional content that does not fit the site, feels misleading, or looks like it has wandered in from a completely different universe wearing the wrong shoes.

Archive material and historical content

Ripped & Torn may publish archive material, historical references, older interviews, scans, photographs, posters, reviews, memories, quotes, listings or other material connected with music and culture.

Historical material may reflect the language, attitudes, design, humour or context of its time. Where appropriate, we may add notes, edits, corrections or context.

We do not claim that every historical source is complete, definitive or free from error. Archive work is often messy, partial and gloriously human.

Accuracy and corrections

We aim to publish information in good faith and to make reasonable efforts to avoid errors.

If we discover that something is wrong, outdated or misleading, we may correct, update, clarify or remove it.

If you spot an error, missing credit, broken link or factual problem, please contact us through the contact page.

External links

Ripped & Torn may link to external websites for reference, context, buying options, artist information, event details, streaming, archives, labels, shops or other useful material.

External links do not mean we control or endorse everything on those third-party websites.

Third-party websites have their own content, terms, privacy policies, cookie policies, prices, delivery arrangements and customer service.

Contributors and submitted material

Ripped & Torn may publish work, comments, stories, memories, photographs, archive material or other contributions from writers, photographers, readers or other third parties.

Contributors are responsible for the material they submit and should only send content they have the right to share.

We may edit, decline, remove or archive submitted material at our discretion.

Use of digital tools

Ripped & Torn may use digital tools to help with research, formatting, editing, transcription, image preparation, website management or search visibility.

Where tools are used, the aim is to support the editorial process, not replace human judgement, taste, memory, argument, context or responsibility.

Contact

If you have questions about this Editorial Policy, want to suggest a correction, or need to raise an issue with something published on Ripped & Torn, please contact us through the contact page.

Last updated: 9 July 2026