Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Southeast Asian Media Studies Journal (SEAMS Journal) is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical publishing and academic integrity. This Ethics and Malpractice Statement outlines the responsibilities and ethical behavior expected of all parties involved in the publication process—authors, editors, peer reviewers, and the publisher.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF AUTHORS

  1. Originality and Plagiarism
    Authors must ensure that their submissions are original works and free from plagiarism. Proper citation and acknowledgment of all sources and influences are mandatory.
  2. Data Accuracy and Integrity
    Authors are responsible for the accuracy of data presented in their manuscripts. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data is considered unethical and unacceptable.
  3. Multiple Submissions
    Manuscripts must not be submitted simultaneously to more than one journal. Redundant or duplicate publications are strictly prohibited.
  4. Authorship
    Only individuals who have made significant contributions to the research and writing of the manuscript should be listed as authors. All co-authors must approve the final version of the paper and agree to its submission.
  5. Conflict of Interest
    Authors must disclose any financial or personal conflicts of interest that may affect the interpretation of their work.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EDITORS

  1. Fairness and Impartiality
    Editors evaluate manuscripts based on scholarly merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope, without regard to the authors’ race, gender, institutional affiliation, or political beliefs.
  2. Confidentiality
    Editors must ensure the confidentiality of all submissions and communications related to the review process.
  3. Editorial Independence
    Decisions on publication are made independently of the publisher and sponsors.
  4. Handling Misconduct
    Editors are responsible for investigating and responding to allegations of research or publication misconduct, using a clear and fair process.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF REVIEWERS

  1. Confidentiality
    Manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents.
  2. Objectivity
    Reviewers should provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback to assist authors in improving their work.
  3. Conflict of Interest
    Reviewers must decline to review manuscripts where a conflict of interest exists, including competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with the authors or affiliated institutions.
  4. Acknowledgement of Sources
    Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors.

JOURNAL & PUBLISHER RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Maintaining Integrity
    The journal is responsible for upholding ethical publishing practices across all stages of the process.
  2. Clear Communication
    We aim to make our policies transparent and accessible to all contributors.
  3. Handling Misconduct
    If we receive credible reports of misconduct, the editorial team will investigate and respond appropriately. This may include corrections, retractions, or other measures.

The Southeast Asian Media Studies Journal (SEAMSJ) upholds the values of academic honesty, fairness, and accountability. These principles guide our publishing practices and ensure that the work we share contributes responsibly to the field of Southeast Asian media studies.

All participants in the publication process are expected to adhere to these standards, ensuring that SEAMS Journal remains a trusted platform for rigorous, ethical, and regionally grounded scholarship.