At Global Mass Communication Review (GMCR), we are committed to ensuring a transparent, fair, and rigorous peer review process. We recognize that authors may occasionally wish to appeal editorial decisions. The following appeals process is in place to provide authors with the opportunity to address their concerns regarding decisions made about their manuscript submissions.

Grounds for Appeal

Authors may submit an appeal if they believe that:

1. The decision was based on a significant misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the manuscript.
2. There were factual errors in the peer review process that materially affected the decision.
3. There was evidence of bias, conflict of interest, or other ethical concerns with the review process.

Appeals that do not provide substantive grounds (such as mere disagreement with the reviewers' opinions) are unlikely to be considered.

If an author wishes to appeal a decision, the following steps must be followed:

1. Timeframe for Appeal: Appeals must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the decision letter. Appeals submitted after this period may not be considered.
2. Formal Written Appeal: Authors must submit a formal, detailed appeal letter addressed to the Editor-in-Chief. The appeal should clearly outline the reasons for the appeal and provide evidence to support the claim that the review process was flawed or the decision was unjustified.
   1. Action: The appeal letter should include specific references to the reviewer comments or editorial decisions that are in question.
3. Revised Manuscript (if applicable): If the appeal involves proposed revisions or clarifications to the manuscript, authors should submit a revised version of the manuscript along with the appeal letter, highlighting the changes made in response to the reviewers' comments.

Once an appeal is submitted, the following steps are taken:

1. Initial Editorial Review: The Editor-in-Chief will review the appeal letter and the original decision. The Editor-in-Chief may consult the handling editor or members of the editorial board to assess whether the appeal has merit. The editor will determine whether the appeal raises valid concerns about the fairness or accuracy of the review process.

2. Further Peer Review (if necessary): If the Editor-in-Chief deems the appeal valid, the manuscript may be sent for further peer review, either to the original reviewers (with detailed responses from the authors) or to new reviewers who are impartial and have no prior knowledge of the manuscript. The Editor-in-Chief will decide whether additional reviewers are needed or if the appeal can be resolved based on the original reviews and the author’s response.

3. Final Decision: After reviewing the appeal and any additional reviews, the Editor-in-Chief will make a final decision. This decision may include:

   1. Upholding the original rejection.

   2. Accepting the manuscript, subject to revisions.

   3. Sending the manuscript for further revision and re-evaluation.

Action: The final decision is communicated to the author in writing, explaining the rationale behind the outcome.

1. No Guarantee of Acceptance: An appeal does not guarantee that the manuscript will be accepted. The decision will be based on the merits of the appeal and the manuscript’s suitability for publication in GMCR.
2. Single Appeal: Only one appeal per manuscript is allowed. Repeated appeals for the same manuscript, or appeals based solely on disagreements with editorial judgment, will not be entertained.

GMCR takes allegations of bias, ethical misconduct, or conflict of interest very seriously. If an appeal raises concerns about potential ethical violations, such as a conflict of interest among the reviewers or editors, the matter will be referred to an independent ethics committee for investigation. If any ethical violations are identified, the Editor-in-Chief will take appropriate corrective action, which may include reassigning the manuscript to a new handling editor or reviewer.

1. Acknowledgment of Appeal: Authors will receive an acknowledgment of their appeal within 5 business days of submission.
2. Decision Timeline: The review and resolution of the appeal may take 4–8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case and whether additional peer reviews are necessary.