Appeals and Complaints

Al-Turath Journal of Media Studies (ATJMS) is committed to addressing appeals and complaints fairly, confidentially, transparently, and promptly. Complaints may concern editorial procedures, publication ethics, staff conduct, peer-review administration, or other aspects of the journal’s publishing process.

Submitting a Complaint

A complainant may select “Contact Us” on the journal’s website and submit the complaint to the Editor-in-Chief by email. The complaint should clearly describe the issue and include the manuscript title, manuscript identification number, relevant dates, supporting documents, and any other information necessary for an effective investigation.

Handling a Complaint

The Editor-in-Chief will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and conduct an initial assessment. Where appropriate, the matter will be reviewed in consultation with the Editorial Secretariat, Editorial Manager, and relevant members of the Editorial Board. Individuals directly involved in the subject of the complaint will not participate in deciding its outcome where a conflict of interest exists.

The journal will investigate the claims, review the available evidence, and seek to resolve the matter as promptly and fairly as possible. Additional information may be requested from the complainant or other relevant parties. The Editor-in-Chief will communicate the outcome, explanation, and any corrective action to the complainant.

Editorial Appeals

Authors may appeal an editorial decision when they believe that a significant error occurred in the evaluation of their manuscript or that the decision was not adequately supported by the journal’s policies or the academic content of the submission. An appeal must present clear academic or procedural grounds and should not merely express disagreement with the decision.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or another qualified editor who was not directly responsible for the original decision, where practicable. The journal may seek additional editorial or independent expert advice. The outcome of the appeal will be communicated to the author, and the journal’s final decision will normally be conclusive.

Objectives of the Policy

This policy aims to ensure that appeals and complaints are managed fairly and effectively. The journal’s complaints-management system seeks to:

  • Respond to concerns in a timely, impartial, and proportionate manner.
  • Protect the confidentiality and rights of all parties involved.
  • Strengthen authors’ confidence in the journal’s editorial and publishing processes.
  • Identify opportunities to improve the journal’s policies, services, staff practices, and complaints-handling procedures.
  • Maintain the integrity, accountability, and transparency of the scholarly record.

The Editor-in-Chief may make recommendations for improving the journal’s procedures and discuss them with the editors and relevant staff. Appeals and complaints involving publication ethics will be considered in accordance with the journal’s ethics policies and applicable guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

For appeals and complaints, please contact: [email protected]