Over the past twenty years, open access publishing has been enthusiastically embraced as a means of making scientific knowledge accessible to a wider audience. Initially, it was seen as a significant opportunity by the academic world (1). However, over time, while this model provided free access to readers, it also created significant financial burdens for authors due to the publication fees they incurred. Today, the vast majority of open access journals require authors to pay article processing charges (APCs), which typically range from $250 to $3,500 per accepted article (2, 3).
This situation has created a major challenge, particularly for researchers in low- and middle-income countries where physician salaries are low and funding systems supporting scientific research are underdeveloped. In many countries, APCs can exceed physician salaries, making it very difficult for scientists to submit their work to high-quality journals. As a result, the ideal of “equality of access to information” at the heart of the “open access” concept is not being fully realized (2, 4).
At this point, “diamond open access,” also referred to as “platinum open access,” a lesser-known but more inclusive model of open access publishing, has come to the fore. In this model, there are no fees for either readers or authors. However, the most significant challenge for this model is sustainability: very few journals worldwide have adopted it, and many of those that have are supported by universities, civil society organizations, and research institutions (5-7).
The Turkish Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, the official scientific publication of the Turkish Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, has been a diamond open access journal since 2013, charging no fees to readers or authors. Our association has borne this financial burden for years, dedicating itself to promoting scientific publishing and providing an equal publishing environment for both national and international researchers.
Currently, 73 journals in otorhinolaryngology are indexed in the Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded and Emerging Sources Citation Index), 27 of which are open access. Among these 27 open access journals, only a few operate under the Diamond Open Access model, which does not charge authors. The Turkish Archives of Otorhinolaryngology is one of these few journals (8).
Moreover, our journal offers significant advantages not only through its free publication policy but also through the short publication timeline and increased visibility. Accepted articles added to the journal’s ahead of print section become available on PubMed on the same day or the following day, which greatly enhances their international visibility in a very short time. The relatively short time between submission and the initial decision, and the publication of accepted research articles within 12-15 weeks, are other important advantages for authors.
In conclusion, the Turkish Archives of Otorhinolaryngology offers authors significant advantages by providing free publication in a reputable, indexed journal, international visibility upon acceptance, and a short, predictable publication process. The diamond open access model, which is uncommon today, strongly supports the equitable sharing of scientific knowledge. Greater recognition of this model’s value will significantly help reduce geographical and economic barriers to scientific production. Given the advantages outlined above, we invite all local and international scientists to submit to our journal, which operates under the diamond open access model.
