Open access, “piracy” and Article Processing Charges (APC) in Argentina: An informed policy for the national research funding agency

Abstract

The article explores the growing influence of Article Processing Charges (APCs) in academic publishing, especially in Argentina, and the challenges they pose for non-hegemonic countries. It highlights the shift from traditional subscription models to open access models, driven by commercial publishers, which often impose significant financial burdens on researchers and institutions. The study aims to examine the issues arising from these models, particularly the commercial open access system, to describes the actions developed by the National Agency for the promotion of Research, Technological Development and Innovation from Argentina, and to discuss some public policy proposals. One major finding is that APCs can exacerbate global inequalities in scientific publishing, as researchers from middle- and low-income countries struggle to afford these fees. This trend can distort research agendas and limit international collaborations. Besides, public research funding agencies play a crucial role in shaping publishing practices, and thus have the power to either promote or hinder more equitable publishing models. The article concludes that non-commercial open access routes, like the “diamond” model, should be promoted, and research assessments should shift away from focusing on journal rankings to encourage more responsible research dissemination. The study calls for reforms in both national and global publishing policies.