Combating editorial racism

Peter Tyrer (2005) has set out a number of ways by which the British Journal of Psychiatry will attempt to minimise editorial racism and he acknowledges that this is only the beginning of a long journey. Nevertheless, he ought to be congratulated for his vision. His proposal to increase the number of corresponding editors from low- and middle-income countries is commendable, although I would like to see an increase in peer reviewers who have, like corresponding editors, an understanding of the issues in these countries. Otherwise, reviewers, who I am sure are fair-minded professionals, will continue to judge papers from poorer countries on the same basis as those submitted from rich countries, thereby perpetuating the problem of disproportionate publication. Surely there must be reviewers who will undertake this task – if not, appropriate professionals need to be encouraged to get involved so that they can make a significant contribution to ending editorial racism. Additionally, their participation will also encourage greater opportunities for publications from researchers from poorer countries which in itself, I believe, is a worthy cause.