Frontiers warns over paid approaches to editors
Frontiers has issued a statement warning of repeated approaches made to editors affiliated with its journals, in which financial compensation has been offered in connection with editorial or peer-review activities.
The publisher said such approaches have been made via LinkedIn and other channels, and reiterated that its editors are strictly prohibited from accepting any form of payment, consultancy fee, or benefit related to their editorial duties.
According to Frontiers, these offers must be declined because they undermine the independence of the editorial process and are incompatible with the publisher’s editorial policies and international standards of research integrity.
In its statement, Frontiers said: “Any organisation or individual engaging in these practices aimed at anyone involved in the Frontiers editorial process is required to cease immediately and must refrain from contacting Frontiers editors, guest editors, or editorial board members for paid editorial, review, or publication-related services.”
Frontiers thanked editors who have reported such approaches and encouraged any editor, guest editor, or editorial board member contacted in this way to report it promptly. The publisher added that it remains fully committed to upholding the highest standards of publishing ethics and research integrity.