Synergy Publishers is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of editorial independence, scientific integrity, and academic neutrality across all its journals, including Journal of Therapy and Management in HIV Infection. This Advertising Policy ensures that scholarly content remains free from commercial influence, maintaining the trust of our readers, authors, and the academic community. The policy applies to all journal formats (print, online, and supplementary materials) and is reviewed annually to align with international publishing standards, such as those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).
1. Editorial Independence and Integrity
• Complete Editorial Autonomy: Editorial decisions, including manuscript selection, peer review, and publication, are made solely by the editorial board and are independent of any external commercial interests.
• No Commercial Advertising: Synergy journals do not accept or display paid commercial advertisements in any form (e.g., print ads, online banners, or sponsored content) to safeguard against potential bias or perceived endorsement.
• Neutrality: The absence of commercial advertising ensures that the journal’s content remains impartial and free from influence by products, services, or organizations.
2. Promotional Activities
• Journal Information: Detailed journal scopes, aims, and calls for papers are shared on the official Synergy Publishers website ([Insert Website URL, e.g., https://www.synergypublishers.com]).
• Academic Outreach: Distribution of informational materials (e.g., brochures, flyers, newsletters) at academic conferences, workshops, and seminars to engage researchers and institutions.
• Targeted Invitations: Invitations to submit manuscripts or participate as reviewers/editors are extended to researchers and professionals whose work aligns with the journal’s focus (e.g., HIV/AIDS research, public health).
• Social media and Scholarly Networks: Promotion via professional platforms (e.g., ResearchGate, LinkedIn) to reach relevant academic audiences, ensuring content remains informational and non-commercial.
3. Ethical Standards
• No Endorsement: All promotional materials are strictly informational and do not imply endorsement of external organizations, products, or services.
• Transparency: Promotional activities are clearly identified as such and conducted with professionalism and transparency. Any partnerships or sponsorships are disclosed in the journal’s annual report or on the website.
• Regulatory Compliance: All promotional efforts comply with international publishing ethics (e.g., COPE’s Code of Conduct, ICMJE’s Recommendations) and applicable local regulations.
• Prohibited Content: Synergy does not engage in promotional activities involving harmful products (e.g., tobacco, alcohol) or unverified medical claims, particularly relevant to our public health focus.
4. Sponsorships and Partnerships
• Academic Alignment: Partnerships are limited to academic, scientific, or educational entities (e.g., universities, research institutes) whose missions align with the journal’s focus.
• No Editorial Influence: Sponsors have no influence over editorial content, peer review, or publication decisions. Sponsorship agreements are documented to ensure editorial independence.
• Full Disclosure: Any sponsorship or financial support is transparently disclosed in the journal’s publications, website, or annual report, including the sponsor’s identity and role.
• Review Process: Proposed sponsorships are evaluated by the editorial board to ensure ethical compatibility. Agreements involving commercial entities with potential conflicts (e.g., pharmaceutical companies) are avoided unless fully compliant with ethical standards.
5. Complaint and Feedback Mechanism
• Reporting Concerns: Readers, authors, or stakeholders may submit concerns about promotional activities or perceived violations of this policy to the editorial office at [policy@synergypublishers.com]. Complaints are reviewed promptly, and corrective actions (e.g., clarification, cessation of activity) are taken if necessary.
• Transparency in Resolution: Outcomes of complaint reviews are communicated to the complainant, maintaining confidentiality where appropriate.
6. Policy Review and Updates
• Annual Review: This policy is reviewed annually by the Synergy Publishers editorial leadership and advisory board to ensure alignment with evolving ethical standards and industry best practices.
• Stakeholder Input: Feedback from authors, readers, and editorial board members is considered during policy updates to maintain relevance and trust.
• Public Access: The policy is publicly available on the Synergy Publishers website ([Insert Website URL]) and included in author guidelines for transparency.
7. Implementation
• Oversight: Synergy Publishers, in collaboration with the editorial board, oversees policy implementation. A designated advertising or promotions coordinator may be appointed to manage compliance.
• Revenue Use: Any funds from sponsorships support journal operations (e.g., peer-review management, open access publication) without influencing editorial priorities.
• No Revenue Quotas: Synergy does not set financial targets for sponsorships or partnerships that could pressure editorial decisions.
Contact Information
For inquiries about this policy, contact: policy@synergypublishers.com
