Author Guidelines | Presser Review
Media & World Affairs Beyond Western Frames
Welcome to Presser Review
Thank you for your interest in contributing to Presser Review, a digital journal publishing critical, accessible analysis on media and world affairs—centering knowledge, voices, and frameworks beyond dominant Western paradigms.
We believe rigorous scholarship and public accessibility are not opposites. Whether you are a senior scholar, early-career researcher, student, or practitioner, we invite submissions that challenge epistemic hierarchies, bridge depth with clarity, and offer actionable insights for a global readership.
**All content is published open access—free to read, free to share. We do not charge article processing fees **(APCs)
Submission Tracks: Choose What Fits Your Work
To keep the process simple, we offer three clear submission pathways:
| Track | Best For | Word Count* | Review Process | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Flagship Articles | Original research, theoretical interventions, deep comparative analysis, **Systematic Reviews **(PRISMA model only), Review Articles (if aligned with journal scope) | 3,500–7,000 words (including bibliography) | Single Blind peer review (2 reviewers) | Journal issue + downloadable PDF + DOI |
| B. Critical Reflections | Timely policy analysis, debate responses, emerging trends, scholarly commentary | 1,500–2,500 words | Editorial review + 1 external expert | Online-only + optional PDF |
| C. Voices from the Margins | Student work, community knowledge, creative non-fiction, translations, Letters to the Editor, short reflections | 800–1,500 words | Editorial review only | Online-only, social-media friendly |
*Word count includes bibliography. Tables, figures, and appendices are excluded from the count.
Not sure which track fits? Email editor@presser.pk with a brief description of your piece.
How to Submit
- Prepare your manuscript following the formatting guidelines below.
- Email your submission to: presser.review@gmail.com
- Include in your email:
- Subject line:
[Track A/B/C] Submission: [Your Article Title] - Manuscript file: **MS Word **(.docx) which include Title, abstract (150–200 words), 5–7 keywords, author name(s), affiliation(s), country, contact email
- Declaration: “This work is original, not under consideration elsewhere, and all authors approve submission.”
- Subject line:
Response time:
- Track A (Flagship): Initial editorial decision within 2 weeks, single blind review 1-2 months, and publication within 15 days after acceptance.
- Track B/C: Initial decision within 1 week, and publication within 15 days after acceptance.
📝 Formatting Guidelines (All Tracks)
Free Format Initial Submissions Welcome
To lower barriers for scholars worldwide, Presser Review accepts free-format initial submissions. You do not need to format your manuscript to our style guidelines before your first submission.
Minimum Requirements for Initial Submission:
> Title (English mandatory)
> Abstract (150–200 words, English mandatory)
> Author name(s), affiliation(s), country, and contact email
> Manuscript text with clear structure
> References (any consistent style; full details required)
> Indicate your submission track: **A **(Flagship), **B **(Critical Reflections), or **C **(Voices from the Margins)
If your manuscript is accepted or invited for revision, we will ask you to reformat it according to our style guidelines before final publication. We will provide clear instructions and support during this process.
This policy reflects our commitment to accessibility and plural knowledge. We assess ideas first; formatting second.
Universal Requirements
✅ Language:
- English is the primary language. All English submissions must follow American English spelling and grammar conventions.
- As the journal is based in Pakistan, Urdu submissions are also accepted. However, Urdu articles must:
- Use Chicago author-date style for in-text citations (e.g., Khan 2024, 45) with page numbers
- Include English title and abstract (mandatory)
- Provide brief English translations in brackets for Urdu terms where appropriate
- Note: Non-digitized source material must be uploaded to an online repository for verification. Studies based solely on non-digitized archival work cannot be accepted, as they limit reader access and verification.
✅ File format: **MS Word **(.docx) Use Times New Roman, 12pt font size, with 1-inch margins.
✅ Structure: Clear hierarchical headings (H2, H3), short paragraphs, logical flow.
✅ Images/Tables: Include only if essential. Provide captions and source attribution. High-resolution files sent separately upon acceptance.
✅ Hyperlinks: Not permitted in any submission. Cite web sources using full URL in the bibliography/footnotes instead.
Track-Specific Formatting
| Element | Flagship Articles (Track A) | Critical Reflections (Track B) | Voices from the Margins (Track C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract | Structured: Problem, Method, Finding, Implication (150–200 words) | Single narrative paragraph (100–150 words) | Novelty statement only (1–2 sentences: “What new perspective does this piece offer?”) |
| Headings | Use clear hierarchical headings (H2, H3) | Simple headings acceptable | Flexible; prioritize readability |
| References | Full bibliography required; numbered footnotes; Roman script only | Minimum 3 credible sources; numbered footnotes; no hyperlinks | Flexible citation; prioritize accessibility; no hyperlinks |
| Spacing | Double-spaced for review ease | Single-spaced acceptable | Single-spaced |
| Margins | 1-inch (2.54 cm) | Standard | Standard |
🔢 Citation Style: Chicago NB, Numbered Footnotes
Presser Review uses a reader-friendly adaptation of Chicago Notes-Bibliography with numbered footnotes:
For English Submissions
In-Text Citations
Use superscript numbers placed after punctuation: Recent scholarship challenges this assumption.¹
For multiple sources: ²,³
Numbers correspond to footnotes listed at the end of each page
Title the section: Footnotes
- List entries in order of appearance, numbered sequentially
- Format per Chicago NB standards
- Include DOIs or stable URLs for digital sources (as plain text, not hyperlinks)
- Use Roman script for all entries; transliterate non-Latin titles and add original script in brackets if helpful
- No “ibid.” or “op. cit.”—use full details or short titles for repeats
For Urdu Submissions
- Use Chicago author-date style for in-text citations:
(Khan 2024, 45) - Include page numbers for all direct references
- Bibliography formatted per Chicago standards
- English title and abstract mandatory
Quick Reference Examples (English Submissions)
Book
1. Ahmed, Sara. Decolonizing Theory: Knowledge from the Margins. Lahore: South Asian Press, 2024.
Journal Article
2. Khan, Muhammad Rafi. “Beyond Western Frames: A Methodological Note.” Journal of Critical IR 12, no. 3 (2025): 45–67. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx.
Report
3. United Nations. Climate Change and Security in South Asia. Report A/78/112. New York: UN, 2023. https://www.un.org/example-report.
Web Source
4. “Digital Sovereignty in the Global South.” Data Stories Pakistan, March 15, 2026. https://datastories.pk/digital-sovereignty.
Chapter in Edited Volume
5. Rahman, Tariq. “Language, Power, and Epistemic Justice.” In Knowledge Otherwise: Southern Perspectives, edited by A. Ali and M. Khan, 89–112. Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2023.
💡 Pro Tip: Use reference managers like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote. Select “Chicago Manual of Style (notes and bibliography)” and configure output to generate numbered footnotes.
📥 Download our pre-formatted Word template: [Presser Review Template]
Peer Review Policy
Peer Review Policy
Presser Review uses a single-blind peer review process managed by the editorial team:
Flagship Articles (Track A)
• Manuscripts are reviewed by at least two independent experts in the relevant field.
• Reviewers know the author’s identity; authors do not know reviewers’ identities.
• Reviewers’ reports are anonymous and focused on constructive, developmental feedback.
• The Editor-in-Chief makes the final decision based on reviewer recommendations, originality, methodological rigor, and alignment with the journal’s mission.
• Initial editorial decision within 2 weeks of submission.
Critical Reflections (Track B)
• Reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief + one external expert when needed.
• Focus on timeliness, analytical depth, and relevance.
• Initial decision within 1 week.
Voices from the Margins (Track C)
• Editorial review only, with attention to voice, perspective, and accessibility.
• Authenticity, clarity, novelty, and contribution to plural knowledge.
All reviewers are expected to adhere to COPE ethical guidelines, declare conflicts of interest, and provide respectful, substantive feedback.
Transparency note: Presser Review publishes an annual report summarizing review timelines, acceptance rates, and reviewer diversity to ensure accountability.
All reviewers are expected to provide constructive, respectful feedback aligned with COPE guidelines.
Ethics & Integrity Statement
Presser Review adheres to the **Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics **(COPE). By submitting, authors confirm:
✅ The work is original and has not been published elsewhere (in whole or in part).
✅ All co-authors have approved the submission and agree with its content.
✅ Any conflicts of interest are disclosed.
✅ Research involving human participants follows ethical standards; consent statements included where applicable.
✅ Plagiarism, data fabrication, or image manipulation will result in immediate rejection and may be reported to the author’s institution.
We welcome corrections and retractions when errors are identified. Contact editor@presser.pk for concerns.
Open Access & Copyright
- License: All content is published under a **Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International **(CC BY-NC 4.0) license. Readers may share and adapt work for non-commercial purposes with attribution.
- Author Rights: Authors retain copyright and may reuse their work in teaching, conferences, or institutional repositories. We request acknowledgment of first publication in Presser Review.
- No Fees: We do not charge submission, processing, or publication fees.
- Repository Policy: For Urdu submissions or articles citing non-digitized archival material, authors must upload source documents to our secure online repository upon acceptance to ensure verifiability and reader access.
Contact & Support
General inquiries: editor@presser.pk
Submissions: presser.review@gmail.com
Technical issues: admin@presser.pk
Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Muhammad Rafi Khan
PhD International Relations
Presser Review is based in Pakistan. We welcome contributions from scholars, practitioners, and voices worldwide.
🔄 Revision & Resubmission
If revisions are requested:
- Submit a revised manuscript with changes highlighted.
- Include a brief response letter addressing reviewer/editor comments.
- Resubmit to the same email with subject:
[Revised] [Track]: [Article Title]
Last updated: March 2026
Presser Review | Media & World Affairs Beyond Western Frames | presser.pk