BMJ  2004;329 (10 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7457.0-g

Editor's choice

Editorial independence at the BMJ

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

"Editorial freedom," is famously "the freedom to publish those of the proprietor's prejudices that don't upset the advertisers." That accurately describes the state of editorial freedom in many newspapers, but the BMJ's editor has enjoyed great independence. The BMA has had a strong tradition of editorial independence, particularly since a celebrated dust up between the editor and the association half a century ago. Our independence will be illustrated next week when we publish some pungent criticisms of the association.

Much of the editorial independence has flowed from the editor also being the chief executive of the BMJ Publishing Group and on the same level as the secretary of the association. This is unusual, and the BMA has decided that the positions of editor and chief executive will be split and that the chief executive of the BMJ Publishing Group will report to the group chief executive (formerly the secretary) . . . [Full text of this article]

Richard Smith, editor

rsmith@bmj.com


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