The Journal of Media Reflections and Communication Studies and its publisher are committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics. We rigorously oppose publication malpractice in all its forms. Authors submitting manuscripts to this journal must attest that their work is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere. They must also confirm that the submitted work is their own, has not been plagiarized, and that all actual or potential conflicts of interest are fully disclosed. The journal’s editorial team enforces these ethical standards with fairness and transparency.
The Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Media Reflections and Communication Studies, published by Swami Vivekananda University, Kolkata, holds the final responsibility for deciding which submitted articles are accepted for publication. This decision may be guided by the recommendations of the editorial board and peer reviewers. The Editor-in-Chief may also confer with associate editors or external reviewers during decision‑making.
Each manuscript undergoes at least a single‑blind peer review by a minimum of two qualified reviewers (the journal is progressively adopting a double‑blind review process). All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software before review. Any submission with a similarity score above 20% is rejected immediately, though individual journals may adopt stricter thresholds.
Book series and special issue proposals are subject to initial evaluation by the series editors, followed by review by at least one external reviewer. Random integrity checks are conducted to ensure that all listed editors or contributing authors are accurately represented and aware of their inclusion.
Unpublished materials contained in submitted manuscripts must not be used by editors or reviewers for personal research without the author’s explicit written consent. Reviewer databases are periodically updated, and integrity checks are carried out to ensure fairness and ethical conduct.
Submissions are evaluated solely based on their academic merit, without regard to the author’s race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or political beliefs. The move towards double‑blind reviewing is intended to reinforce impartiality.
The Editor‑in‑Chief, editors, and editorial staff must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all submitted manuscripts and may share information only with the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, editorial advisers, and the publisher.
All information contained in manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential and must not be shared without authorization.
Reviews must be conducted objectively, without personal bias or criticism. Reviewers should provide clear, constructive, and evidence‑based feedback. The journal’s transition to a double‑blind system is designed to support impartial reviewing.
Reviewers should identify any relevant work not cited by the authors and inform the editors of any apparent overlap or similarity between the manuscript and other known publications.
Reviewers must decline to assess manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, or personal relationships with any of the authors or affiliated institutions.
Authors must present an accurate and objective account of their research. Data and methods should be clearly stated to allow replication. Fabricated or misleading statements are unethical and unacceptable.
Authors must be prepared to provide raw data for editorial review and, where feasible, allow public access after publication. They should retain underlying data for a reasonable period.
Authors must ensure that submitted works are entirely original. If material from other sources is included, it must be properly cited. Plagiarism in any form is strictly prohibited.
Authors should not submit the same manuscript to multiple journals or publish substantially similar work in more than one venue. Concurrent submissions constitute unethical behavior.
Proper credit must always be given to prior research. Authors should cite publications that have significantly influenced their work.
Authorship is limited to individuals who have made significant contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All key contributors should be listed as co‑authors, while others providing ancillary support should be acknowledged separately.
All authors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could be perceived to influence the research outcomes. All sources of financial support must be fully declared.
Authors discovering major errors or inaccuracies in their published work must promptly inform the editorial office and cooperate in correcting or retracting the article.
The Journal of Media Reflections and Communication Studies is dedicated to disseminating authentic and rigorous research in the field of media and communication. It adheres to ethical principles that uphold scientific validity and professional integrity.
Authors must record and maintain research data in a verifiable manner that permits review before and after publication. Fabrication, falsification, or intentional misrepresentation of results is considered severe misconduct and may be subject to legal consequences.
Manuscripts must follow the prescribed format, present data accurately, and include appropriate comparative analysis and citation of relevant literature. Authors must restate sources in their own words and properly attribute all borrowed ideas or data.
Authorship credit is based on substantial intellectual contributions, drafting or revising content, and final manuscript approval. Individuals who contribute through funding acquisition, data collection, or coordination but not writing or conceptual work should be acknowledged but not listed as authors. Practices such as “ghost” or “guest” authorship are strictly prohibited.
Authors must confirm that their submission has not been published elsewhere and is not under simultaneous consideration. Minimal overlap (up to 10%) is acceptable only if clearly justified. Authors must ensure they hold copyright to submitted content or have obtained necessary permissions from copyright holders.
Editors hold full authority to accept or reject submissions based on scholarly merit and are independent from external influence. Editorial decisions must be fair, timely, and based solely on academic quality, not the identity of the authors. All editors and reviewers must disclose potential conflicts of interest—financial, personal, or institutional—and maintain confidentiality throughout the process.
The Journal of Media Reflections and Communication Studies invites qualified reviewers and referees to assist in evaluating manuscripts, thereby upholding the journal’s commitment to ethical, transparent, and high‑quality scholarly communication.