ESC Media Policy for Scientific Contributors

Last update 27 March 2026

Table of Contents

1. Purpose and Scope
2. Embargo Compliance
3. Media Engagement
4. Press Materials
5. Participation in ESC Press Activities
6. Social Media Conduct
7. Media Registration
8. Sanctions
9. Contact

1. Purpose and Scope

Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to support scientific contributors in responsibly communicating their research to the media, ensuring accuracy, ethical standards, and in compliance with ESC embargo rules. It provides guidance for media interactions, coordination with the ESC Press Office, and proper referencing of scientific content, supporting fair and credible dissemination of cardiovascular science.

Scope

This Policy applies to all scientific contributors - including authors, researchers, presenters, and guideline developers - who are:

• Presenting abstracts, late-breaking science, or clinical updates at ESC Congresses
• Publishing in ESC journals or contributing to ESC-endorsed materials

2. Embargo Compliance

An Embargo refers to a binding restriction imposed by the ESC on the timing of public disclosure, publication, or dissemination of specified scientific, clinical, or programme-related information.

Scientific contributors are required to fully respect ESC Embargo restrictions. These Embargoes are in place to ensure fair and accurate dissemination of scientific findings and to protect the integrity of ESC events and publications.

No public disclosure of abstracts, data, or presentation materials is permitted before the official Embargo lift.

Abstracts accepted for presentation at an ESC event must not be presented at other international meetings or published in journals prior to the Embargo time.

If a study is scheduled for journal publication as well as presentation, it is the lead contributor's responsibility to ensure that the ESC Press Office - along with all co-authors, collaborators, and affiliated institutions - is informed and compliant with ESC Embargo requirements.

Embargo times are clearly communicated in acceptance notifications and published in the scientific programmes of each event.

3. Media Engagement

Scientific contributors are encouraged to speak with the media to disseminate cardiovascular science. When media engagement happens in relation to ESC channels (events, journals, etc.) all communications must:

• Be evidence-based
• Avoid speculation or exaggeration
• Clarify whether results are preliminary, peer-reviewed, or guideline-based
• Respect ESC Embargo timelines

4. Press Materials

Press releases must be coordinated with the ESC Press Office. All materials must :

• Accurately reference ESC sessions, abstracts, or journal citations
• Avoid promotional language, exaggeration, or commercial affiliations
• Respect Embargo timelines and attribution requirements

5. Participation in ESC Press Activities

Selected scientific contributors may be invited to participate in ESC press conferences or media interviews.

Participation is based on scientific merit and media relevance

The ESC Press Office will provide guidance and media training if needed

6. Social Media Conduct

Scientific contributors may share research using ESC hashtags and handles.

• Embargoed content must not be posted before the official release.
• Posts should be clear, accurate, and respectful.
• Social media must not imply ESC endorsement or misrepresent preliminary findings

7. Media Registration

Scientific contributors do not qualify for press registration unless they are credentialed journalists. Access to the ESC Press Centre is by invitation only for official media activities or scheduled interviews.

8. Sanctions

Noncompliance with this policy may result in appropriate corrective measures, which may include removal of abstracts, presentations, or other scientific content from ESC communication channels.

9. Contact

For all media-related inquiries, please contact:

ESC Press Office: [email protected]