Point: Should AJE Allow Submissions of Manuscripts That Have Been Previously Posted on Preprint Servers and Received Media Attention?

In weighing the question of whether AJE should accept preprints that have received press coverage, we need to keep in mind 3 sets of interests: the public interest, the publisher's interest, and the author's interest. During public health emergencies, such as a pandemic, the author's interests (rapid communication of scientific findings to the public) are aligned with the public interest (learning about life-saving information as early as possible). However, the interests of different parties are not always aligned. In most cases, preprinted articles do not concern matters of life or death. Widespread dissemination of studies via preprint services conflicts with the journal editor's interest in delivering fresh, original content. Dissemination of study results prior to peer review can occasionally backfire and cause unintended harm if the findings turn out to be false.

Automated summary

When considering whether to accept preprints that have received press coverage, we need to balance the interests of the public, the publisher, and the author. During public health emergencies, the interests of the author and the public align, as both want rapid dissemination of life-saving information. However, the interests of different parties are not always aligned. Most preprints are not life-or-death matters. Disseminating study results through preprints conflicts with the journal editor's interest in delivering fresh, original content, and can occasionally lead to unintended harm if the findings are later proven false.