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  Cluster 8: Marketing, Media & Communication

Best Journals for Journalism and Mass Communication Research (2026)

Journalism and mass communication research examines the professional practices, institutional structures, and social effects of journalism — from the routines of news reporting and editorial decision-making to the economic crisis of local news and the rise of citizen journalism. This research is fundamental to understanding how democracies maintain informed publics and how journalism institutions can survive and serve their accountability function in the digital age.

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What to Look for When Choosing a Journal

Before submitting your research, evaluate journals on these key criteria:

  • Journalism scope — professional journalism practice, news production, and journalistic roles
  • Mass communication — news effects, framing, agenda-setting, and audience reception
  • Open access to reach journalism scholars, working journalists, media organisations, and press freedom advocates
  • Fast review for journalism research tied to current media events
  • Acceptance of newsroom ethnographies, content analysis, and computational journalism research
  • International coverage — journalism research from diverse media systems and political contexts

Recommended Journals — Cluster 8: Marketing, Media & Communication

All journals below are published by Keith Publications — open access, peer-reviewed, and indexed for global discoverability.

  • Journal of Marketing Management and Research (JMMR)

    Marketing management, consumer behaviour, brand management, strategic marketing, digital marketing, market research, and the theory and practice of marketing across sectors.

    Review: 2–4 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar
    Marketing Management Consumer Behaviour Brand Management Strategic Marketing
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  • Journal of Marketing and Digital Media (JMDM)

    Digital marketing, social media marketing, content strategy, influencer marketing, digital advertising, e-commerce marketing, and the intersection of technology and marketing practice.

    Review: 2–3 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar
    Digital Marketing Social Media Content Marketing E-commerce
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Fast Publication: All Keith Publications journals complete initial review within 2–5 business days and full peer review within 2–4 weeks. Articles are published online within 5–10 days of acceptance — among the fastest open access publishers in marketing, media, and communication research.

Core Research Areas in Journalism and Mass Communication

Keith Publications journalism and mass communication journals accept research on: news framing — how media frames shape public understanding of issues; agenda-setting — the relationship between news coverage and public concern about topics; gatekeeping — editorial selection of news stories and the changing gatekeeping role in digital media; news values — what makes events newsworthy and how news values vary across media systems; digital journalism — data journalism, interactive news, and digital-first newsroom practices; local news crisis — the decline of local journalism and its democratic consequences; misinformation and the "post-truth" media environment; press freedom — threats to journalism, journalist safety, and media independence; investigative journalism — methods, practices, and impact on policy and accountability; and computational journalism — algorithmic news production and data journalism methods.

The Crisis of Local Journalism and Democratic Consequences

Local journalism is in crisis — newspapers are closing, digital news startups struggle to achieve financial sustainability, and many communities are becoming news deserts with no meaningful local news coverage. Research on the political, social, and democratic consequences of local news decline — including reduced voter turnout, declining civic engagement, increased local government corruption, and weakened community cohesion — provides urgently needed evidence for policymakers, philanthropists, and technology platforms considering how to address the local news crisis. Keith Publications provides an open access platform for this socially important journalism research.

Tips to Maximise Your Acceptance Chances

  1. Align your research with the journal's scope — confirm your topic fits the journal's marketing, media, or communication focus.
  2. Write a practitioner-relevant abstract — marketing and communication journals value clear implications for practice alongside theoretical contributions.
  3. Ensure methodological rigour — clearly describe your research design, measurement instruments, and analysis approach.
  4. Use current and relevant literature — include recent marketing and communication research publications (within the last 5 years).
  5. Follow formatting guidelines exactly — non-compliant manuscripts are often desk-rejected without review.
  6. State theoretical and managerial implications — explain how your findings advance marketing theory and inform marketing practice.
  7. Address limitations honestly — acknowledge the boundaries of your study and future research directions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which journals are best for journalism research?
The Journal of Marketing Management and Research (JMMR) and Journal of Marketing and Digital Media (JMDM) from Keith Publications are among the best for journalism and mass communication research, covering news media practices, digital journalism, mass communication theory, and the media-public interface.
Can I publish research on investigative journalism impact?
Yes. Research on how investigative journalism affects policy change, corporate behaviour, political accountability, and public understanding of specific issues — and on the methods, challenges, and resources required for investigative journalism — is within scope.
Is research on press freedom and journalist safety accepted?
Yes. Research on threats to press freedom — government censorship, legal harassment (SLAPP suits), physical attacks on journalists, online harassment campaigns against female journalists, and the structural conditions affecting media independence — is within scope and actively encouraged.
How quickly can journalism research be published at Keith Publications?
Keith Publications journals complete initial screening within 2–5 business days and full peer review within 2–4 weeks — important for journalism researchers whose work is tied to current media events and rapidly evolving news landscapes.

Related Research Guides

Explore other research journal guides in the Marketing, Media & Communication cluster:

Ready to Publish Your Research?

Submit your marketing, media, or communication manuscript to Keith Publications today. Fast peer review, open access, and global indexing — get your work published within weeks.

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