Citation and extracts from Kamran Abbasi, the new editor-in-chief of The BMJ.
CITATION: Editor's Choice
Russia’s war: Why The BMJ opposes an academic boycott
BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o613 (Published 10 March 2022)
Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o613
If truth is the first casualty of war, the second is health and wellbeing... A question for scientific journals is whether they will join those sanctions, to boycott Russian researchers, academics, and institutions (doi:10.1136/bmj.o608).6 At least one journal has decided it will no longer accept papers from Russian scientific institutions (https://retractionwatch.com/2022/03/04/journal-editor-explains-ban-on-ma...).7 Previous academic boycotts have affected science and health in Iran (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-02795-y).8
The BMJ’s position is clear: we will continue to consider papers for publication from Russian authors and institutions. Our view—and it is one supported by our editorial team, editorial board, and company—is that science and health have the potential to bring people together in common purpose to improve understanding, cooperation, and relationships. By boycotting Russian research, for example, we risk further marginalising Russian scientists already speaking for peace (doi:10.1136/bmj.o535).9 We also potentially do harm to Russian civilians, many of whom are protesting against the war. We stand with health professionals, scientists, and civil society, not with dictators...
If truth is indeed the first casualty of war, our response is to spread as much of BMJ’s reliable information as widely as possible.
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Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator, neil@hifa.org www.hifa.org
