Submissions

Author Guidelines

The International Journal of Journalism & Mass Communication (IJJMC) invites original, high-quality scholarly submissions from researchers, academicians, practitioners, and policy experts working in the broad domains of journalism, mass communication, media studies, digital media, and allied interdisciplinary fields. The journal aims to promote rigorous research, critical inquiry, and innovative perspectives that contribute meaningfully to academic discourse and professional practice at national and international levels.

1. Scope and Aims of the Journal

IJJMC publishes peer-reviewed research that aligns with its core objectives of advancing knowledge in journalism and mass communication while addressing contemporary challenges such as media regulation, digital transformation, ethics, sustainability, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), global communication, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Submissions must clearly demonstrate relevance to the journal’s thematic focus and contribute either theoretically, empirically, or methodologically to the field.

Manuscripts that fall outside the journal’s scope or fail to engage meaningfully with journalism and mass communication scholarship may be declined at the initial screening stage.

2. Submission and Initial Editorial Assessment

All manuscripts submitted to IJJMC undergo a preliminary editorial evaluation. At this stage, the editor assesses whether the submission:

• Fits the aims and scope of the journal

• Meets minimum academic and ethical standards

• Demonstrates originality and scholarly relevance

• Is written in clear, coherent, and professional academic language

Submissions that do not meet these criteria may be desk rejected without being sent for external peer review. Desk rejection is a quality-control mechanism intended to save authors’ and reviewers’ time and to maintain the journal’s academic integrity.

Authors are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure that their manuscript is carefully prepared, logically structured, and thoroughly proofread prior to submission.

3. Peer Review Process

Manuscripts that pass the initial editorial screening are forwarded for double-blind peer review, where both the authors’ and reviewers’ identities remain confidential. Expert reviewers evaluate the manuscript based on:

• Originality and contribution to the field

• Soundness of theoretical framework

• Appropriateness of research design and methodology

• Quality of data analysis and interpretation

• Clarity of argumentation and conclusions

• Ethical compliance and academic rigor

Based on reviewers’ recommendations, the editor will decide whether the manuscript is accepted, accepted with revisions, requires major revisions, or rejected. Authors may be asked to revise their manuscript and respond to reviewer comments within a stipulated timeframe.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors

Ethical integrity is a cornerstone of scholarly publishing at IJJMC. By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that:

• The work is original and has not been published or submitted elsewhere

• All sources are properly cited, and plagiarism is strictly avoided

• Data presented are accurate and honestly reported

Where applicable, research involving human participants, interviews, surveys, or experiments must have been approved by an appropriate institutional or national ethics committee, in accordance with the legal and ethical requirements of the country where the research was conducted. A clear statement of ethical approval should be included in the manuscript.

5. Authorship and Consent

All individuals listed as authors must have made a substantial intellectual contribution to the research and manuscript preparation. The corresponding author is responsible for ensuring that:

• All listed authors have reviewed and approved the final version of the manuscript

• All authors consent to being identified as authors in the submission

• Any changes to authorship after submission are justified and approved by all authors

Gift authorship, ghost authorship, or misrepresentation of contributions is considered unethical and may result in rejection or retraction.

6. Permissions and Copyright Responsibility

Authors are solely responsible for obtaining written permission to reproduce or adapt any copyrighted material included in their submission, such as:

• Photographs and images

• Tables, figures, or illustrations

• Documents, archival materials, or datasets

Permission documentation should be secured prior to submission and must comply with copyright laws. Failure to obtain necessary permissions may delay publication or lead to rejection.

7. Manuscript Preparation Standards

To improve the likelihood of acceptance and smooth peer review, authors should ensure the following:

a. Title

The title should be concise, precise, and informative, clearly reflecting the central theme or research problem. Avoid overly long or ambiguous titles.

b. Abstract

The abstract must be self-contained and capable of standing alone. It should briefly state:

• The research problem or objective

• Methodology

• Key findings

• Major implications

A well-written abstract significantly increases the likelihood of reviewer engagement.

c. Keywords

Provide 4–6 relevant keywords to enhance discoverability and indexing.

d. Structure and Argumentation

The manuscript should follow a logical academic structure, typically including:

• Introduction

• Literature review

• Research objectives or questions

• Methodology

• Results/Findings

• Discussion

• Conclusion

Arguments must be clearly articulated, theoretically grounded, and supported by evidence.

8. Language, Style, and Formatting

Manuscripts must be written in clear, formal academic English. Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to seek language editing support before submission.

Formatting, referencing style, word limits, and citation guidelines should strictly follow the journal’s prescribed standards, as provided in the submission checklist. Non-compliance may result in the manuscript being returned for technical correction.