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For Authors

Q: What does it mean if information is embargoed?

“Embargoed” means your study’s information cannot be published, broadcast, posted online, shared with non-journalists, or otherwise made public until the publication time and date.

During the embargo period (typically two business days before publication), journalists with JAMA Media Center access may contact you for interviews and contact outside experts for comment. However, the study’s contents must remain confidential until publication.

Q: Do you have advice for interviews?

Yes! Here are some tips:

  • Identify the top three evidence-backed points you want the public to take from your findings.

  • If you do not have an immediate answer to a question, offer to follow after the interview.

  • Use clear, relatable language. Avoid jargon, analogies, and anecdotes.

  • When referencing your study, include the full title of the journal in which it is being published (i.e., JAMA Surgery)

  • Request that the link to free full text of your article (that is available to reporters on the JAMA embargoed site) be used in the published news story, as this give readers immediate access.

Technical advice:

  • Before the interview, test your audio and video connection on the device you plan to use

  • If interviewing via video call sit in a room with natural lighting and a neutral background. It may help to wear headphones with a mic.

Q: What role does my institution’s press office play?

Once your article is accepted, we encourage and welcome you to contact your academic institution’s press office. They can help promote your study to their media contacts during the embargo period.

More information for press offers can be found in the “For Press Officers” page.

Q: What if there is an error in my manuscript?

If you see an error in the embargoed manuscript, contact your manuscript editor immediately.

Q: Will my article be published on social media?

Yes, upon publication your article will be shared by the respective JAMA Network journal on Bluesky, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram, etc. Authors are encouraged to tag the journal when sharing the article via their personal social media accounts.

Q: How can the press office at my institution promote my study to the media?

Please share information about your article with your press office as soon as possible. Academic press officers are welcome to draft and disseminate press releases to media contacts during the embargo period. All can promote publicly upon your article’s publication. JAMA Media Relations cannot review nor provide input on institutions’ press releases; however, we are here as a resource for questions regarding embargo times.

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