Conflict of Interest Policy

Transparency & Editorial Integrity

Conflict of Interest Policy

Sinergi International Journal of Communication Sciences requires full disclosure of any interests that may affect research, peer review, or editorial decisions.

The journal follows the principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the DOAJ Principles of Transparency and Best Practice in Scholarly Publishing. Authors, reviewers, editors, and Editorial Board members must disclose any actual or potential financial or non-financial conflict of interest that could affect the conduct, interpretation, review, or publication of research in communication sciences, media studies, journalism, digital communication, public relations, strategic communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and related fields.

1. What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest?

A conflict of interest is any relationship, activity, commitment, or interest that could reasonably be perceived as affecting the impartiality, objectivity, independence, or integrity of research, peer review, or editorial decision-making.

Financial: research funding, sponsorship, honoraria, consultancy, employment, stock or equity ownership, paid advisory activity, commercial partnerships, patents, or other financial relationships. Non-Financial: personal relationships, institutional affiliations, academic rivalry, professional competition, ideological interests, organizational responsibilities, media affiliations, advocacy roles, or editorial commitments.
Important: The existence of a conflict does not automatically imply misconduct or invalidate the research. However, relevant relationships and interests must be disclosed transparently so that readers, reviewers, and editors can assess their potential influence.

2. Responsibilities

Authors
  • Disclose all relevant financial and non-financial interests related to the submitted research.
  • Identify funding, sponsorship, consultancy, employment, ownership interests, or organizational relationships that may reasonably be perceived as influencing the study.
  • Disclose relationships with media organizations, communication agencies, public relations firms, digital platforms, government institutions, advocacy organizations, research participants, or other parties whose interests may be affected by the findings.
  • Include a Conflict of Interest Statement in the manuscript.
  • Ensure that sponsors or funding organizations have not improperly influenced the research design, participant recruitment, data collection, media analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation, or decision to publish.
  • After acceptance, upload the signed disclosure form through Production → Discussion.
If no conflict exists: “The authors declare no conflict of interest.”
Reviewers

Reviewers must disclose potential conflicts before accepting a review invitation and must decline the assignment where personal, professional, financial, institutional, supervisory, collaborative, ideological, or competing interests could reasonably affect impartiality. This may include recent collaboration with the authors, employment at the same institution, direct professional competition, financial interests related to the research topic, or involvement with media organizations or communication institutions evaluated in the manuscript.

Editors & Editorial Board

Editors and Editorial Board members must disclose relevant conflicts and recuse themselves from handling affected manuscripts. This includes manuscripts submitted by close collaborators, colleagues, students, supervisors, family members, organizational partners, or individuals and institutions with which the editor has a direct professional, institutional, or financial relationship. Where necessary, the manuscript will be reassigned to another qualified and independent editor.

3. Evaluation & Management

Disclosed conflicts are reviewed confidentially by the Editorial Office. The existence, relevance, and potential influence of the conflict will be considered before an editorial decision is made. Appropriate actions may include:

✓ Reassigning editors or reviewers ✓ Requesting clarification or additional disclosure ✓ Publishing a disclosure note
✓ Requesting independent review ✓ Excluding conflicted individuals from decisions ✓ Taking corrective action when necessary

If an undisclosed conflict is discovered during review, the Editorial Office may pause the process while the issue is assessed. If discovered after publication, corrective action may include a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, depending on the seriousness of the case and its effect on the reliability, interpretation, or integrity of the published article.

4. Transparency & Editorial Independence

Conflict of Interest Statements are published with the article to ensure transparency for readers. When no conflict is declared, the published article may state: “No conflicts of interest were declared.”

The journal expects authors to distinguish clearly between independent research findings and conclusions that may relate to employment, consultancy, media ownership, public relations services, communication campaigns, digital-platform relationships, advocacy activities, commercial partnerships, or other professional interests.

The Editorial Board and Yayasan Sinergi Kawula Muda maintain editorial independence. Advertising, sponsorship, funding arrangements, consultancy relationships, organizational partnerships, media interests, commercial considerations, or other external influences do not determine peer-review outcomes, editorial decisions, or the content of published articles.

Ethical Guidance & Disclosure Form

This policy is aligned with international principles of transparency and ethical publishing, including guidance from COPE and the DOAJ Principles of Transparency.

↓ Download Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form