Surveying Gatekeepers: Journal Editors’ Perceptions, Responses, and Attitudes Toward De-Westernizing Communication and Media Studies

Francisco Paulo Jamil Marques; Sujatha Sosale; Brian Ekdale; Bingbing Zhang

doi:10.65476/jvavaj13

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Surveying Gatekeepers: Journal Editors’ Perceptions, Responses, and Attitudes Toward De-Westernizing Communication and Media Studies

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Surveying Gatekeepers: Journal Editors’ Perceptions, Responses, and Attitudes Toward De-Westernizing Communication and Media Studies

Francisco Paulo Jamil Marques, Sujatha Sosale, Brian Ekdale and Bingbing Zhang

International journal of communication, Vol.20, pp.2365-2386

08/28/2026

DOI: 10.65476/jvavaj13

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Abstract

This study surveys 110 editors from first- and second-quartile journals indexed in Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports to examine how they evaluate and respond to calls to de-westernize and diversify communication and media scholarship through the inclusion of Global South perspectives and scholars. The findings show that editors concerned with geographic imbalances in academic knowledge production identify persistent challenges, such as unconvincing or poorly structured response letters, that contribute to lower acceptance rates for manuscripts by Global South–based scholars. Beyond constraints related to English-language proficiency, limited research funding, and underresourced institutional infrastructures, respondents further point to reviewers’ epistemological biases as a significant barrier—one that requires active editorial oversight, but has become difficult to address amid expanding editorial responsibilities. At the same time, a minority of respondents argue that prioritizing geographic diversity may undermine journal standards, emphasizing peer review as a strictly quality-based process independent of authors’ geographic location.

academic journals

communication studies

de-westernization

Global South

journal editors

Details

Title: Subtitle: Surveying Gatekeepers: Journal Editors’ Perceptions, Responses, and Attitudes Toward De-Westernizing Communication and Media Studies
Creators: Francisco Paulo Jamil Marques - University of Iowa, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Sujatha Sosale - University of Iowa
Brian Ekdale - University of Iowa
Bingbing Zhang - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of communication, Vol.20, pp.2365-2386
DOI: 10.65476/jvavaj13
ISSN: 1932-8036
eISSN: 1932-8036
Publisher: USC ANNENBERG PRESS
Number of pages: 22
Language: English
Date published: 08/28/2026
Academic Unit: International Programs; Center for Social Science Innovation; School of Journalism and Mass Communication; University College Courses
Record Identifier: 9985222747202771

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