PHIG Policy Framework v1.2 · Policy 26 · Adopted 1 September 2026 · References: ASF Policy 19; COPE Core Practices; ICMJE Recommendations; WAME principles; EU MGA Art. 17
1. Purpose and scope
To guarantee the independence of the Georgian Medical Journal, GMJ News, the GILS publications, the Sheni Labs verdicts and alerts, and all other editorial outputs of the network from funders, advertisers, partners, PHIG’s own management and any other influence. Applies to the Board, the Director, staff, consultants, volunteers, experts, partners and suppliers of PHIG and all platforms of its network.
2. Policy
- Editorial decisions are taken solely by the responsible editor on the basis of quality, relevance, evidence and ethics; no funder, donor, client, partner or Board member may require, prevent or alter a publication.
- The Editor-in-Chief of the Georgian Medical Journal and the editors of the other platforms have full authority over content; they may be removed only for cause by the Board, never for editorial decisions.
- Funding of PHIG or of any platform is disclosed; sponsored content does not exist; advertising is not accepted.
- Peer review is impartial, confidential and free of conflict; reviewers and authors declare interests; the journal follows COPE guidance on misconduct, corrections, retractions and appeals.
- Authors retain copyright under CC BY 4.0; the journal does not charge fees that would bias acceptance.
- Right of reply and a corrections policy apply to every platform; errors are corrected openly.
- AI tools are used transparently and never as authors; automated systems (the GILS Desk, the Labs Desk) operate under published rules with editorial accountability.
Responsibilities
Editor-in-Chief and platform editors; Board as guarantor.
Review
Every two years and when donor rules change.
Part of the PHIG Policy Framework. Breaches and concerns may be reported under the Whistleblowing Procedure to info@accreditation.ge (subject “Confidential — integrity”).