The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has released the 2025 edition of the Revised Code of Best Practice in Scholarly Journal Publishing, Editing, and Peer Review, marking a renewed commitment to ethical and transparent research practices.
Initially introduced in 2004 and updated in 2018, the Code has long guided scholarly publishing standards in South Africa. The latest revision addresses recent developments in academic publishing, including digital publishing, artificial intelligence, open access, data transparency, and the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in scholarly work.
Spearheaded by the National Scholarly Editors’ Forum (NSEF), the revision was developed by a dedicated Working Group and finalized through wide consultation with NSEF members.
It received endorsements from the Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA) on May 20, 2025, and approval from the ASSAf Council on June 18, 2025.
The updated Code outlines practical guidance for editors, reviewers, authors, and publishers across editorial independence, peer review, governance, ethical responsibilities and adherence to evolving academic policies. It serves as a cornerstone for promoting credibility and accountability in South African scholarly communication.
The full Code is accessible at https://doi.org/10.17159/assaf.2025/117.
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