Preserving the integrity of academic publication: The risks of supporting non-scientific personal blog posts for article retraction or withdrawal

Dear Editor, Supporting non-scientific personal blog posts as a basis for post-publication judgements regarding the retraction or withdrawal of an article can lead to significant problems in academic publications. For example, consider a scenario where an author has a hidden agenda business on their blog posts regarding vaccines. If a scientific commentary contradicts their personal views and ambitions, they might respond with anger and resort to cyberbullying on social media platforms. In this situation, if a journal supports the author’s non-academic blog post and uses it as a basis for retracting or withdrawing the article, it could compromise the integrity and credibility of the publication. By allowing personal social media posts to influence decisions on scientific matters, journals risk making unjust withdrawals or retractions without concrete evidence of scientific misconduct. Theoretically, post-publication withdrawal or retraction must be based on scientific evidence of misconduct or scientific content problems,[1] to avoid not only tarnishing the reputation of the scientists involved but also undermining overall trust in the academic publishing process. It is essential for journals to uphold stringent editorial procedures and rely on scientific evidence rather than external factors, such as personal blog posts or social media bullying. By maintaining transparency and integrity during the review process, journals can protect the credibility of scientific research and promote a professional and collaborative culture amongst academics. Judgements about article retractions or withdrawals must be made fairly and impartially without succumbing to the undue influence of personal agendas or internet attacks. In conclusion, journals must be vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of academic publications and resisting the temptation to base decisions on non-scientific sources, such as personal blog posts. By upholding the values of integrity and transparency, journals can preserve the reputation of scientific publishing and maintain the credibility of their academic community. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.