Content Ethics Policy

Effective Date: June 30, 2025

Last Updated: June 30, 2025

 

At Sramana Publications, our mission extends beyond the act of publishing—we are custodians of public trust, truth, and intellectual responsibility. This Content Ethics Policy outlines the core ethical principles that guide our editorial decisions, manuscript selection, and publishing conduct. All authors, contributors, editors, reviewers, and affiliates are bound by these standards.

 

 

 

1. Integrity of Content

We are committed to publishing original, honest, and responsibly produced content. All manuscripts submitted must meet the following baseline ethical criteria:

 

• Originality: Submissions must be the original work of the author and must not plagiarize, reproduce, or adapt third-party work without proper licensing or attribution.

• Accuracy: Non-fiction content must be factually correct to the best of the author’s knowledge. Misleading, manipulated, or deceptive content will not be tolerated.

• No Misrepresentation: Authors must not submit false claims of authorship, credentials, experience, or sources.

 

 

 

 

2. Prohibited Content

The following types of content will be automatically disqualified from consideration and publication:

 

• Superstitious, irrational, or pseudo-scientific material presented as fact (including but not limited to astrology, occultism, miracle-based content, or unscientific spiritual “healing” claims).

• Hate speech or incitement to violence targeting any group based on religion, caste, gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or sexual orientation.

• Defamatory, libelous, or slanderous statements about individuals or organizations.

• Pornographic or sexually explicit content not serving a legitimate literary or academic purpose.

• Terrorism, extremism, or advocacy of illegal activities.

• Content that glorifies or trivializes mental illness, suicide, self-harm, or addiction without appropriate sensitivity, responsibility, and context.

 

 

 

 

3. Ethical Standards for Authors

Authors must agree to the following:

 

• They are solely responsible for ensuring the legal and ethical validity of their work.

• They will not engage in plagiarism, self-plagiarism, or use of ghostwriters without full transparency.

• They will disclose any conflicts of interest or affiliations that could influence the content.

• They agree to comply with reasonable editorial guidance, fact-checking, and content adjustments required to align with this policy.

 

 

Failure to comply will result in immediate rejection, termination of publishing agreement, and potential legal recourse if necessary.

 

 

 

4. Editorial Independence

While we collaborate closely with authors, Sramana Publications retains final editorial authority over all content we publish. This includes the right to:

 

• Modify, reject, or withdraw content that violates our ethics policy.

• Decline titles that conflict with our editorial positioning or legal obligations.

• Require authors to substantiate claims, sources, or citations before acceptance.

 

 

Editorial decisions are made without external influence, advertiser control, political bias, or financial pressure.

 

 

 

5. Review Process and Accountability

Our editorial and legal teams conduct routine and pre-publication ethical audits of manuscripts. Every title must pass internal review for:

 

• Legal compliance

• Ethical soundness

• Cultural sensitivity

• Factual reliability (where applicable)

 

 

If ethical breaches are discovered post-publication, we reserve the right to:

 

• Issue retractions or public disclaimers

• Remove the work from sale or distribution

• Notify distributors, libraries, or readers of material corrections

• Ban the author from future submissions

 

 

 

 

6. Rights, Transparency, and Appeals

Authors have the right to:

 

• Request a written explanation of editorial rejections related to ethical concerns.

• Appeal decisions based on verifiable evidence, which will be reviewed by a senior editorial ethics panel.

 

 

We remain transparent in decision-making and accountable in enforcement.

 

 

 

7. Reporting Violations

If you believe that a work published by Sramana Publications violates this ethics policy, please contact us confidentially at:

writetoshweta23@gmail.com

 

Submissions must include:

 

• Full description of the alleged breach

• Supporting documentation, if available

• Your contact details (will be kept confidential)

 

 

 

 

8. Policy Updates

This policy is reviewed periodically to remain in compliance with global ethical standards and publishing best practices. Continued association with Sramana Publications signifies agreement to all updates.

 

 

For legal compliance, this policy aligns with international editorial and publication standards including:

 

• International Federation of Journalists’ (IFJ) Ethical Charter

• Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections on Hate Speech and Defamation

• UNESCO Guidelines on Freedom of Expression & Ethical Media