  Scientific publishing is in a transition between the old paper-bound, static
forms and the new electronic media with its interactive, dynamic possibilities.
This takes place in the context of imploding library budgets and exploding
magazine costs. The scientists as authors, reviewers and editors of scientific
journals are exposed to an increased pressure by the their administrations and
the public towards quantification, objectification and certification of
scientific achievements. The ``publication roulette'' resulting from
low-quality editorial procedures often amounts to malign censorship, which not
only is experienced as a frustration by the authors, but is also delaying and
hampering the progress of science. It also leads to a waste of funds under the
cover of pseudo-objectivity and pseudo-legitimacy of financial decisions.
Different solutions are outlined and discussed. As concerns scientific
publishing, an e-print service should be established, which, in continuation of
existing e-servers such as arxiv.org, is operated either directly by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or by an
international consortium. In order to become generally accepted by the
scientists, certification criteria must be provided, which would make it
possible to successfully pursue a scientific career besides the traditional
peer reviewed print publications.
