Medical Journal of Australia Editor Sacking Stirs a Debate

Medical Journal of Australia (MJA) made news last week when it removed editor-in-chief Emeritus Professor Stephen Leeder after his disagreements with its plans to outsource production to Elsevier.

MJA’s publisher AMPCo made the decision to cut sub-editing, production and administrative function by moving to an outsourced model in a move that Leeder estimates will cost approximately 14 people their jobs. The move, which was AMPCo says was “to ensure the continued success of the journal.”

However Professor Leeder clashed with management in the appointment of international publisher Elsevier as the Journal’s content provider, given its questionable history of editorial practises.

In 2009 Elsevier produced medical journal the Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine which gave the impression of a peer-reviewed publication but in fact was sponsored by pharmaceutical company Merck.

MJA deputy editor Dr Tania Janusic has resigned in support of Leeder’s stance, and nineteen members of the MJA’s editorial board have threatened to resign over the action.

In a statement to media, advisory board members Professors Michael Horowitz and Gary Wittert said: "We consider that the MJA was extremely fortunate to have the services of an editor of this calibre and regard his stewardship of the MJA to have been exceptional."

"The majority, if not all board members, including ourselves have indicated they will resign and believe that the Australian medical community, who we understand have not been consulted, will be appropriately outraged," the statement said.

Guardian Australia has reported that “remaining staff at the journal have been told they face dismissal if they speak to anyone about the Elsevier deal.”

However the Australian Medical Association (AMA) stands with MJA and AMPCo’s move to outsourcing, asking the editorial board to reconsider their resignations. Recognising Leeder’s contribution to the publication and the medical community, the AMA stated the agreement with Elsevier was necessary in order to maintain the Australian publication.

Leeder’s disappointment in leaving his post was clearly visible in quotes taken from across the media, in which he expressed his love of writing editorials, working with medical authors and production colleagues, and being part of the Australian medical scene. He has received hundreds of emails, phone calls and texts in support.

There is now question as to whether the MJA will be supported by medical researchers, given the controversy that has arisen between editorial ethics and business feasibility