Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

openDemocracy

openDemocracy is a London-based platform founded in , operating as a non-profit organization dedicated to producing that challenges power structures and fosters democratic debate on global issues including , politics, and . Established by Anthony Barnett as a response to perceived deficits in public discourse following events like the 2000 U.S. presidential election recount, openDemocracy initially launched as an emphasizing analysis over , evolving over two decades into a multilingual outlet publishing in English, , , and with a global team spanning four continents. The platform's mission centers on amplifying underrepresented voices and pursuing , notably through projects like its "Dark Money Investigations" series exposing undisclosed political funding in the UK and beyond, which have prompted official inquiries and legal reforms. It attracts over seven million annual visits and has been recognized for evidence-based reporting, though analyses consistently identify a left-leaning ideological in its selection of topics and framing, prioritizing critiques of conservative policies and institutions. Funded primarily through grants from philanthropic foundations such as the , , and —sources aligned with progressive causes—openDemocracy discloses its donors in annual reports but has faced financial pressures leading to staff cuts and near-insolvency risks in recent years amid fluctuating grant support. Controversies include legal disputes over claims of from major funders like Soros-linked entities and criticisms of selective in its own operations despite advocating for disclosure in others.

History

Founding and Early Development (2000–2005)

openDemocracy Ltd was incorporated on 8 October 1999 by a group of British activists, including Anthony Barnett, David Hayes, Paul Hilder, and Susan Richards, amid the rise of the alter-globalisation movement following the 1999 protests in . The platform launched as a weekly in May 2001, with the objective of creating a space for independent global debate on , ideas, and , distinct from mainstream media narratives. Initial funding was raised prior to launch, though specific sources from this period remain undisclosed in available records. Its first publications coincided with the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, leading to an immediate pivot from weekly to rolling news coverage of international crises. Anthony Barnett, a co-founder and former coordinator of the Charter 88 campaign for constitutional reform, assumed the role of , guiding content through 2007. Early developments emphasized critical analysis of post-9/11 geopolitics: in January 2002, sociologist published an essay critiquing the ; 2003 saw a series documenting and on-the-ground reporting of the 7 August Baghdad bombing; 2004 featured an interview with Chinese poet Liu Hongbin on ; and in October 2005, editors Barnett and Neal Hilton outlined perceived threats to democratic institutions amid global conflicts. These pieces established openDemocracy as a forum for dissenting voices, though its slow initial growth reflected challenges in building an audience for online independent media at the time.

Growth and International Expansion (2006–2015)

In 2007, under new editor-in-chief Tony Curzon Price, openDemocracy implemented significant operational changes, including a nearly 70% reduction in costs alongside increased content output. This period also saw the launch of specialized sections, such as OurKingdom (later rebranded as ), focused on politics and edited by Anthony Barnett, and the continuation of the 50.50 project initiated in 2006. These developments aimed to diversify content and deepen engagement with specific audiences, building on the site's readership expansion, which had initially drawn a global audience comparable to 5-10% of The Economist's million-plus subscribers. International expansion accelerated through multilingual and regionally focused initiatives. In 2009, openDemocracy launched oD , edited by Susan Richards and Zygmunt Dzieciolowski, which evolved into oDR covering the post-Soviet space in both English and . The 2011 Arab Spring prompted the creation of the Arab Awakening section (later , or NAWA), edited by Walid el-Houri and available in English and , enhancing coverage of Middle Eastern and North African dynamics. By 2015, this trend continued with the launch of democraciaAbierta, edited by Francesc Badia i Dalmases, targeting in multiple languages including and . Domestically oriented expansions included the 2010 Shine A Light project for social investigations, led initially by Clare Sambrook, and the 2013 Transformation section by Michael Edwards, alongside the 2014 Beyond Trafficking and Slavery initiative under Cameron Thibos. However, growth faced financial pressures; in 2012, Magnus Nome assumed the CEO role amid a , culminating in a 2013 reader that raised £250,000, supported by donors like David and Elaine Potter, averting closure. These efforts sustained operations and facilitated further thematic diversification, with audience demographics in 2007 showing balanced distribution across the (25%), (25%), and rest of Europe (25%).

Recent Challenges and Adaptations (2016–Present)

In the period following 2016, openDemocracy encountered mounting operational pressures amid a shifting philanthropic landscape and broader media industry contraction. The organization's heavy reliance on —constituting nearly 80% of its £3.44 million in —exposed it to vulnerabilities as donor priorities evolved and global events strained availability. Income had grown from £2.27 million in 2020 to £2.96 million in 2021, reflecting expansion efforts, but scheduled lapses in prior commitments and eroded reserves. Cumulative overspending, particularly on underfunded initiatives like the OpenDemocracy project and the news team, further compounded deficits. By early 2024, these issues culminated in a severe , with leadership warning of potential by June absent drastic measures. To avert , openDemocracy implemented a 40% , including the redundancy of approximately 10 roles—about one-third of its roughly 30 staff and six of its 18 journalists—in March 2024. Affected positions encompassed the head of news (Ramzy Alwakeel), news editor (Sam Gelder), and political correspondent (Ruby Lott-Lavigna), alongside commercial roles, leaving the investigations team as the primary editorial unit. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) chapel responded with a no-confidence vote against CEO and board Suzanna Taverne, citing mismanagement, though the board retained full support for leadership and defended the cuts as essential amid "wider industry trends" like uncertain funding. Legal tensions arose, including correspondence between the board and former CEO Peter Geoghegan over his departure. Adaptations included a strategic pivot toward financial sustainability, emphasizing core and enhanced fundraising to mitigate grant dependency. Post-cuts, the streamlined operations to focus on high-impact areas, such as accountability reporting, while navigating ongoing challenges like a global philanthropic pullback and inflationary pressures that have disproportionately affected grant-reliant nonprofits. These measures, implemented after NUJ consultations, aimed to preserve openDemocracy's mission amid a marked by declining ad revenues and donor fatigue for progressive outlets.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Ownership and Legal Status

openDemocracy.net is published by openDemocracy Limited, a private incorporated in on 8 October 1999 under company number 03855274. Its registered office is at 18 Ashwin Street, , , E8 3DL, and its activities encompass other (SIC 58190), and experimental on sciences and (SIC 72200), and other (SIC 85590). openDemocracy Limited is wholly owned by The openDemocracy Foundation for the Advancement of Global Education, a non-profit private without , incorporated on 23 June 2003 under company number 04807614. The foundation operates as a (SIC 64209) with its registered office at the same address, sharing the same ethos of non-profit operation without private shareholders or profit distribution. In this structure, control resides with members who assume via nominal guarantees rather than equity ownership, ensuring no individual or commercial entity holds proprietary stakes. The organization maintains its non-profit orientation through funding channeled via openTrust, a UK-registered (number 1086404) established for the advancement of in social, environmental, political, and biological sciences. openTrust has historically provided core operational support to openDemocracy as its primary funding mechanism, enabling tax-exempt grants while preserving from for-profit influences. This layered setup—combining limited companies by guarantee with charitable funding—positions openDemocracy as a mission-driven entity free from private ownership demands.

Leadership and Editorial Team

openDemocracy's is Satbir , appointed on July 4, 2023, by the organization's board to lead operational and strategic efforts amid financial restructuring. The is Aman Sethi, who assumed the role on February 1, 2024, following his tenure as deputy executive editor at ; Sethi also serves as an on the board. The , which oversees , is chaired by Suzanna Taverne, with non-executive directors including Michael Mitchell (appointed 2006), Nitil Patel (2020), George Peretz (2021), Ingibjorg "Inky" Thordardottir (2022), and Katharine "Kitty" von Bertele (2022); Anthony Barnett, co-founder and first editor from 2001 to 2005, holds the position of honorary president. These directors are listed for openDemocracy Limited, the entity's legal structure registered in the UK since 1999. The editorial team comprises specialized editors focused on regional and thematic coverage, including Indra Warnes as news editor, Ayodeji Rotinwa for , Diana Cariboni for the and as director of the Spanish-language plataforma democraciaAbierta, Nandini Archer for and , and Cameron Thibos for beyond trafficking and initiatives. As of 2023, the broader team totaled 52 members, with 52% women, 42% men, and 6% gender non-conforming, alongside 75% identifying as white. Prior leadership included Mary Fitzgerald, who served as editor-in-chief and CEO until 2021 before joining the .

Funding and Finances

Primary Funding Sources

openDemocracy's primary funding sources consist of from philanthropic and donations from individuals, channeled through its parent charity, openTrust. These often support specific projects or general operations, with providing the bulk of restricted funding for , reporting, and capacity-building initiatives. In 2024, individual contributions from 4,607 donors totaled £428,457, supplemented by £44,910 in core support via openTrust, reflecting a reliance on small-scale public backing alongside larger institutional gifts. Among the largest recent foundation donors is the , which awarded $2,015,000 over five years through its BUILD program to enhance organizational resilience and $500,000 over 24 months for unrestricted operating support. The Oak Foundation granted £252,000 over three years to fund "Building Feminist Resilience," a series focused on women's and LGBTIQ rights amid backlash. Other significant contributors include the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund ($450,000 over 24 months for "Tracking the Backlash" across regions) and the ($400,000 over 24 months for similar monitoring in and ). Historically, from 2012 to 2021, the emerged as a repeated major funder, providing grants such as $600,000 over 24 months for global backlash investigations, $160,000 for openDemocracy's Russian-language platform (oDR), and $1 million cumulatively for and rights projects, often tied to public awareness campaigns on crises like climate reform in or Venezuelan displacement. The and Oak Foundation also featured prominently in this period, with the latter committing $1,000,000 over 36 months for rights-focused . Additional support came from entities like Luminate ($650,000 for investigative work) and Humanity United ($390,000 over 36 months for anti-trafficking efforts). Smaller grants from trusts, such as the Legal Education Foundation (£75,000 over 18 months for investigations) and the David McClure Trust (£24,000 over three years for the "In Solidarity" podcast), complement these, funding niche editorial outputs. No or political party funding appears in disclosed records, aligning with the organization's model of foundation-driven, project-specific that sustains its international coverage without direct state influence.

Financial Transparency and Challenges

openDemocracy, operating as OPENDEMOCRACY LIMITED (company number 03855274), is required to file annual accounts with the as a , providing statutory financial disclosures including balance sheets and profit/loss statements. The organization voluntarily publishes narrative s on its website since 2019, which include detailed breakdowns of income sources, expenditures, and lists of major donors, enhancing beyond legal minimums. In its 2022 , openDemocracy reported total income of £3.44 million, with 79.5% (£2.73 million) from , 19.6% (£674,400) from donations, and smaller amounts from partnerships; expenditures totaled £3.33 million, primarily on staff and freelancers (68.4%, £2.28 million), yielding a £110,000 surplus. Historical donor disclosures from 2012–2021 include from the (£128,000 over 24 months for specific projects) and Humanity United ($200,000 over 24 months for anti-trafficking work), with the organization stating it publishes annual lists of significant funders to maintain accountability. Despite these disclosures, openDemocracy's heavy reliance on time-limited project grants—often from foundations supporting initiatives, such as £750,000 from the Oak Foundation disbursed over 36 months in —exposes it to volatility. This dependency contributed to acute financial challenges in 2023–2024, when multiple grants expired without renewal amid a more competitive philanthropic landscape post-COVID and internal factors including legal threats from subjects of investigations. By April 2024, leadership warned the organization faced potential by June without implementing 40% cost reductions, including job cuts affecting around 20% of staff and reductions in freelance commissions; these measures stabilized operations but highlighted the risks of grant-based models lacking diversified, recurring revenue.

Mission, Ideology, and Editorial Approach

Stated Objectives and Principles

openDemocracy states its core mission as an independent international that covers , ideas, and to challenge power and encourage democratic debate. It aims to amplify voices excluded from , campaign on key issues, and promote a more open, democratic, and egalitarian world through that has triggered legal changes, parliamentary inquiries, and lawsuits. The organization's objectives include producing high-quality, reliable to inspire change, build and capacity among underrepresented groups, and foster perspectives via content in English, , , and . In its 2020-22 strategic plan (updated August 2021), openDemocracy outlines goals of enhancing trustworthy while developing skills and in marginalized communities to counter imbalances. Founding motivations in 2001 emphasized resistance to undemocratic trends, such as securitization and media consolidation, by creating a space for diverse, critical discourse on . Its 2010 Statement of Principles affirms commitment to and , with a focus on open reporting, analysis, and discussion rather than neutrality, inviting exploration and criticism from varied viewpoints. Editorial processes prioritize honesty, accuracy, clarity, originality, and relevance, involving collaborative review via an editorial forum. Content is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives to encourage sharing while maintaining control, and the platform welcomes submissions and debates to generate new ideas. openDemocracy positions itself as mission-driven, independent, and dedicated to egalitarian values, though it acknowledges selective emphasis on stories aligning with its challenge-to-power .

Ideological Orientation and Bias Assessments

openDemocracy presents itself as an independent platform dedicated to challenging power structures and promoting democratic debate through on global issues. Its coverage frequently emphasizes themes such as , , , and critiques of or , which align with priorities. Independent media bias evaluators, including , classify its ideological orientation as left-leaning, noting a left in story selection and political endorsements, though offset by high factual accuracy and well-sourced articles. Biasly similarly rates it slightly left of center at -2% on a bias scale derived from leanings and article analyses. Empirical assessments of openDemocracy's output reveal patterns of selective scrutiny, where criticisms disproportionately target conservative or market-oriented institutions—such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies, portrayed as ideologically driven despite its evidence-based approach—while progressive movements receive more sympathetic treatment. This orientation reflects broader trends in independent media ecosystems, where self-proclaimed anti-power stances often manifest as advocacy for left-progressive reforms, including support for left populism and defenses of egalitarian policies. Funding from philanthropies like the Ford Foundation and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, known for advancing liberal causes, may reinforce this tilt, as such donors prioritize grants aligning with global social change agendas. Critics argue that openDemocracy's bias extends to framing, where occasionally appears in analyses of right-leaning policies, contributing to perceptions of partisanship despite its commitment to evidence. Nonetheless, its association with networks like the Progressive International underscores a deliberate ideological affinity for transnational progressive activism. These assessments highlight how institutional incentives in , including donor influences and editorial cultures, can shape coverage toward left-center perspectives, even under a banner of neutrality.

Content Production and Coverage

Core Topics and Formats

openDemocracy's content centers on themes such as conflict and security, crime, justice, and law, cultural politics, , , gender and sexuality, and health and care, often framed through an international lens on , power structures, and social issues. These topics emphasize scrutiny of governments, corporations, and institutions, with frequent coverage of , , and abuses in regions including , , and . For instance, articles address corporate influence in policy, such as efforts under governments, and global economic disparities. The platform produces a range of formats, including investigative reports, essays, and analytical pieces designed to "challenge power and encourage democratic debate." forms a core output, exemplified by exposés on dark money in and corporate accountability, led by dedicated editors. and commentary pieces provide in-depth analysis of political events, while multimedia elements like podcasts—such as the "In Solidarity" series on people, power, and —offer discussions with experts. Special series and projects structure ongoing coverage, including weekly expert panels on topics like global economics and racial inequality, and themed initiatives such as "Beyond Trafficking and ," which examines violations. Past series have included event-based formats like the Discourses quarterly, featuring art exhibitions and live discussions on social issues, and topical collections on events such as Brexit's impacts on business and trade. Content is disseminated via the website, weekly newsletters, and archives of resurgent articles to sustain engagement.

Notable Investigations and Series

openDemocracy's investigative efforts have centered on themes of political transparency, abuses, and global movements opposing progressive causes, often employing , requests, and cross-border collaboration. One prominent series, Dark Money Investigations, launched to expose opaque funding in by tracing donor anonymity and foreign influences, has revealed connections between wealthy donors, think tanks, and influence, including instances of universities receiving millions from defense firms linked to conflicts and crowdfunding platforms tied to shadowy organizations. This series contributed to broader scrutiny, with its findings nominated for the 2019 British Journalism Award and informing like Democracy for Sale by editor Geoghegan. Another key initiative, Tracking the Backlash, initiated in 2017, comprises feminist-led investigations into organized resistance to women's and LGBTIQ rights worldwide, compiling the largest dataset on U.S. Christian right-wing expenditures opposing sexual and , particularly in , where millions in funding supported anti-gender campaigns. Backed by grants such as from the , the series documented transnational networks, including U.S. groups channeling resources to local actors, prompting calls for greater financial transparency from lawmakers. The Shine a Light project focuses on UK-specific accountability, probing immigration detention practices, deaths in state custody, child imprisonment, and the impacts of and policies, with reports highlighting unreported harms like restraint-related fatalities and systemic failures in care systems. This series has campaigned for policy reforms, emphasizing stories overlooked by mainstream outlets, such as restraint deaths and conditions for minors. Additional series include Beyond Trafficking and , which analyzes root causes of forced labor through academic-journalistic lenses, and Forgotten Key Workers, examining labor market neglect of essential workers in amid economic shifts. These efforts underscore openDemocracy's emphasis on underreported systemic issues, though their framing often aligns with for greater and expansions.

Criticisms, Controversies, and Reception

Allegations of Partisan Bias and Selective Reporting

Media bias evaluators have characterized openDemocracy as possessing a left-center , attributing this to consistent story selection that emphasizes progressive viewpoints on issues such as , climate policy, and critiques of conservative governance, alongside occasional use of emotionally in headlines and framing. This assessment notes that while factual reporting remains generally robust and sourced, the outlet's ideological orientation favors narratives aligned with left-leaning priorities, potentially leading to underrepresentation of counterperspectives, such as economic arguments against expansive policies or skepticism toward certain international frameworks. Critics, particularly from conservative commentators, have alleged that openDemocracy's reliance on funding from foundations like the — which provided $600,000 between 2012 and 2021 for specific projects—introduces partisan influences, given the donor's track record of supporting progressive advocacy on , , and anti-nationalist causes. Such funding, totaling millions from similar entities including the , is cited as fostering selective scrutiny, exemplified by extensive investigations into "dark money" in right-leaning think tanks like the Institute of Economic Affairs—labeled a "hard-right lobby group" in 2021 reporting—while analogous opacity in left-aligned organizations receives comparatively less attention. Allegations of selective reporting extend to coverage patterns, where openDemocracy has been accused of amplifying anti-Brexit and anti-Conservative narratives, such as portraying MPs as a "" driving no-deal outcomes in , without equivalent depth on internal funding controversies or policy failures during prior administrations. Conservative outlets have highlighted this as evidence of an agenda-driven approach, arguing it prioritizes ideological alignment over balanced analysis, though openDemocracy maintains its work challenges power structures across the spectrum.

Legal Disputes and External Challenges

In 2021, openDemocracy prevailed in a First-tier Tribunal case against the UK , challenging the secrecy surrounding its (FOI) Clearing House unit, which had been accused of coordinating responses to politically sensitive requests across government departments. The tribunal, presided over by Judge , ordered the release of additional documents, ruling that the had provided misleading evidence and exhibited a "profound lack of " in handling FOI processes, including referrals involving high-profile issues like the infected blood scandal. This victory highlighted systemic obstacles to public access to government information, with the judge emphasizing the public interest in disclosure despite potential ministerial involvement. That same year, openDemocracy initiated proceedings against the (NHS) over a £23 million data-processing contract awarded to , a firm with ties to agencies and controversial practices. The outlet argued the process lacked and failed to adequately assess risks to patient data privacy, prompting a challenge that underscored tensions between imperatives and commercial data handling during the . The case drew attention to broader concerns about sensitive to private entities with opaque governance structures. openDemocracy has also faced defensive litigation, including a 2021 defamation claim filed by , then leader of Northern Ireland's (DUP), over articles alleging his involvement in blocking investigations into historical sexual abuse claims linked to loyalist paramilitaries. The outlet publicly disclosed the suit, citing resource strains on independent journalism and framing it as an attempt to deter of political figures' past associations. In September 2022, it was targeted in a high-value libel action by Jusan Technologies and the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Foundation—entities connected to former Kazakh president —alleging £22 million in damages from reporting on a £7.8 billion UK-registered business empire allegedly controlled by the ex-leader's family. Described by supporters as a (SLAPP), the case, filed alongside claims against and the Bureau of , incurred significant legal costs for openDemocracy, leading to a appeal that raised funds for defense. External pressures have included regulatory complaints and misinformation campaigns, such as a 2024 successful (IPSO) ruling against the for an article falsely claiming openDemocracy was "run by" , which breached accuracy standards and required correction. These incidents reflect recurrent challenges from powerful interests seeking to undermine the outlet's credibility through legal and reputational attacks, particularly in coverage of oligarchic networks and government opacity. No verified instances of outright censorship or site blocks were identified, though openDemocracy has advocated against SLAPP tactics amid UK government consultations on anti-SLAPP reforms in 2023.

Readership, Influence, and Impact

Audience Metrics and Demographics

openDemocracy reports attracting more than 7 million visits per year to its website, reflecting a sustained online presence since its founding in 2001. This figure encompasses global traffic, though detailed breakdowns of unique visitors or monthly trends are not publicly disclosed in recent annual reports. Earlier self-reported data from 2007 indicated over 3.5 million unique views annually, suggesting growth in engagement over time, albeit without independent verification for current estimates. Demographic profiles of the readership, based on a 2007 survey conducted by openDemocracy, highlight a highly educated : 96% possess degrees, and 60% hold postgraduate qualifications. The age range spans 25 to 65 years, with a balanced distribution across this spectrum. Professionally, readers skew toward influential roles, including 4% in positions, 4% involved in drafting , 6% engaged in policy influence, 7% in professions, and 10% as academics or researchers. No updated demographic surveys appear in subsequent annual reports, such as the 2022 edition, which focuses instead on fundraising from readers without segmenting by traits like , , or political affiliation. Geographically, the audience is international, drawn to content on , , and global inequalities, though primarily English-speaking and concentrated in regions with strong networks like the , , and . Reader support metrics underscore niche engagement: weekly donations averaged around £6,000 in 2022, indicating a committed, albeit small, subset of donors amid broader financial challenges. Independent traffic analytics from sources like are not freely accessible for precise validation, limiting external corroboration of self-reported reach.

Broader Societal and Political Influence

openDemocracy's on political transparency and funding has prompted responses from parliamentary bodies, including calls for inquiries into third-party campaigns following their March 4, 2021, . Their submissions of written to committees, such as on handling in 2021, have highlighted systemic obstructions and contributed to launching official inquiries into practices. The outlet has collaborated with organizations like PolicyMogul and the Open Data Cooperative to produce reports and tools exposing funding and influences, such as the 2023 Influence Report and the "declared" launched in 2020, which aggregates data on political influence to inform public scrutiny. These efforts align with broader transparency advocacy, with their analyses cited in reports by groups like on countering big money in politics. Funded partly by the , which provided grants alongside entities like the , openDemocracy operates within networks promoting open societies and , potentially amplifying its reach in progressive activism and policy debates. However, empirical assessments of foundation-funded impacts, including those linked to similar donors, indicate limited measurable effects on national policy outcomes or shifts. Commissioned polls, such as a 2021 Savanta ComRes survey of 2,075 respondents showing 73% public support for greater government , have been used to for reforms but primarily reinforce existing advocacy echo chambers rather than drive electoral or societal transformations. In global contexts, openDemocracy's coverage of issues like and has informed activist networks and NGO discourse, yet verifiable causal links to policy changes or alterations remain anecdotal, confined largely to niche and circles.

References

  1. [1]
    About openDemocracy
    openDemocracy is an independent international media platform. We produce high-quality journalism which challenges power, inspires change and builds leadership.
  2. [2]
    History of openDemocracy
    Over 20 years, oD has developed from a small 'magazine on the internet' into a force for truly global reporting.Missing: mission | Show results with:mission
  3. [3]
    Dark Money Investigations - openDemocracy
    Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of pounds are funnelled to political parties through loopholes which allow donor anonymity. Who is bankrolling our politics? We ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  4. [4]
    openDemocracy - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check
    openDemocracy's mission statement asserts: “openDemocracy is committed to human rights and democracy. We aim to ensure that marginalized views and voices ...
  5. [5]
    Annual reports - openDemocracy
    Annual report 2022 Open PDF, Annual report 2022 cover, Annual report 2021-22 Open PDF, Annual report 2021-22, Annual report 2020 Open PDF, Annual report 2020.
  6. [6]
    Open Democracy could have been 'insolvent by June' without cost cuts
    Apr 19, 2024 · Open Democracy's current leadership has attributed the financial problems to a mix of scheduled lapses in previous funding agreements, a ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  7. [7]
    Open Democracy wins Express complaint over George Soros claim
    May 23, 2024 · Open Democracy wins IPSO complaint against the Express website over an article wrongly suggesting it was run by billionaire George Soros.
  8. [8]
    22422-23 openDemocracy v express.co.uk - IPSO
    May 23, 2024 · The amended article stated, in its headline, “Controversial foreign billionaire George Soros funded campaign group Open Democracy". The ...
  9. [9]
    openDemocracy turns 20: from 9/11 to the climate crisis
    Sep 28, 2021 · The alter-globalisation movement, which would storm to the world's attention in Seattle in November 1999, needed a media. openDemocracy Ltd was ...
  10. [10]
    openDemocracy versus the status quo
    Nov 29, 2023 · In response I had experimented with self-funding 'sections' within openDemocracy, starting in 2006 with 50.50, a project on gender equality, ...
  11. [11]
    Anthony Barnett | Transnational Institute
    Anthony Barnett is an organizer and writer. He is a co-founder of openDemocracy (external link) and was its first editor from 2001 to 2007.Missing: 2000-2005 | Show results with:2000-2005
  12. [12]
    Sage Academic Books - Liberal Dreams and the Internet
    When openDemocracy was launched in May 2001 as a 'pilot' project, it got off to a slow start. While it was free, and hosted some good writing, the e-zine ...
  13. [13]
    Our Readership and Reach | openDemocracy
    Dec 5, 2007 · openDemocracy's readership. USA - 25% UK - 25% Rest of Europe - 25 ... 2014. Hope all your good deeds come true! Creative Commons ...
  14. [14]
    Open Democracy cuts around 20% of roles including head of news
    Apr 10, 2024 · Open Democracy is cutting around a fifth of staff, including its head of news, news editor and political correspondent.Missing: 2016 | Show results with:2016
  15. [15]
    OPENDEMOCRACY LIMITED overview - Companies House - GOV.UK
    OPENDEMOCRACY LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, ...
  16. [16]
    the opendemocracy foundation for the advancement of global ...
    C/O Opendemocracy Limited, 18-22 Ashwin Street, London, England, E8 3DL. Company status: Active. Company type: Private company limited by guarantee without ...
  17. [17]
    Privacy notice - openDemocracy
    Sep 1, 2021 · openDemocracy.net is published by openDemocracy Limited, a UK-registered company (#3855274) limited by guarantee and wholly owned by the non ...
  18. [18]
    OPENTRUST - 1086404 - Charity Commission
    The object of the Trust is the advancement of education, nationally and internationally, in the social, enviromental, political and biological sciences.Missing: openDemocracy | Show results with:openDemocracy
  19. [19]
    openDemocracy's supporters
    You can support openDemocracy with charitable grants and gifts to the openDemocracy programme of openTrust, a UK-registered charity.
  20. [20]
    Our Supporters | openDemocracy
    openDemocracy Ltd is a not-for-profit enterprise. Its main source of funding has been through the Open Trust, a registered UK charity (number 1086404).
  21. [21]
    The openTrust
    The openTrust is a registered charity. Our purpose is the advancement of education, nationally and internationally in a wide range of subjects.
  22. [22]
    Satbir Singh appointed CEO of openDemocracy
    Jul 4, 2023 · The board of openDemocracy is pleased to announce that Satbir Singh has been appointed to the role of chief executive officer.
  23. [23]
    openDemocracy appoints Aman Sethi as editor-in-chief
    Jan 12, 2024 · openDemocracy is delighted to announce the appointment of Aman Sethi as editor-in-chief, following an extensive global search.
  24. [24]
    Open Democracy appoints Huffpost deputy as editor-in-chief
    Jan 12, 2024 · Open Democracy has appointed Huffpost deputy executive editor Aman Sethi as editor-in-chief. It comes after Peter Geoghegan, formerly editor-in-chief and chief ...
  25. [25]
    openDemocracy's team
    Editor-in-chief Aman Sethi, Finance manager Sarah Jones, HR manager Emily Falconer, Development director Rudaba Osmani-Edwards.
  26. [26]
    OPENDEMOCRACY LIMITED people - Companies House - GOV.UK
    OPENDEMOCRACY LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, ...Missing: board directors
  27. [27]
    Open Society Names Mary Fitzgerald to Lead Information ...
    Jun 15, 2021 · Fitzgerald was previously editor-in-chief and CEO of the global news outlet openDemocracy, where she built an award-winning team of journalists ...<|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Who funded us from 2012 to 2021 | openDemocracy
    openTrust, supported by David and Elaine Potter Foundation: £40,000 over 12 months for openDemocracy's core functions. openTrust, supported by Rockefeller ...
  29. [29]
    [PDF] Annual Report 2022 - AWS
    Last year, openDemocracy reported that Jusan Technologies Limited held billions of dollars in assets that were ultimately controlled by the Nazarbayev Fund, ...
  30. [30]
    'Bad Day For Good Journalism': openDemocracy Funding Collapse ...
    Apr 19, 2024 · Unionised openDemocracy staff expressed a loss of confidence in CEO Satbir Singh and Board Chair Suzanna Taverne.Missing: 2016 | Show results with:2016
  31. [31]
    United Kingdom: openDemocracy Cuts Jobs Amid Funding ...
    Apr 9, 2024 · OpenDemocracy, a non-profit newsroom, has implemented drastic cost-cutting measures, including a 40% reduction in expenses and significant ...
  32. [32]
    openDemocracy: Home
    openDemocracy is an independent international media platform covering news, ideas and culture which seeks to challenge power and encourage democratic debate.About · Contact us · Write for us · Who's funding Reform
  33. [33]
    [PDF] Strategic Plan 2020-22 (updated August 2021) - AWS
    openDemocracy's goal is to challenge power and inspire change, by producing reliable, trustworthy journalism and through building skills, knowledge and capacity ...Missing: statement | Show results with:statement
  34. [34]
    Why we founded openDemocracy 20 years ago – and why it worked
    Nov 2, 2021 · The spirit of effective resistance which inspired openDemocracy's birth is now taking more far-reaching forms.
  35. [35]
    Statement of Principles
    ### Summary of Statement of Principles (openDemocracy)
  36. [36]
    Home
    ### Summary of openDemocracy Content
  37. [37]
    openDemocracy - Bias and Reliability - Biasly
    openDemocracy has a Bias Score of -2% Center which is based on a variety of factors including its policy and politician leanings, article ratings, and the use ...
  38. [38]
    We need to talk about the Institute for Fiscal Studies | openDemocracy
    Nov 22, 2019 · The IFS prides itself on being independent and objective. But its analysis often resembles ideology masquerading as science.
  39. [39]
    The blind spots of Left populism | openDemocracy
    Dec 18, 2020 · The blind spots of Left populism: What the left needs is to refocus on its core principles of social justice and have the courage to defend them.
  40. [40]
    UK think tanks and campaigns rated for funding transparency
    Did openDemocracy receive any funding to re-launch Who Funds You? No, openDemocracy did not receive any funding specifically for this project. openDemocracy ...Missing: profit | Show results with:profit
  41. [41]
    openDemocracy - Progressive International
    Through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, openDemocracy seeks to educate citizens to challenge power and encourage democratic debate ...Missing: orientation | Show results with:orientation
  42. [42]
    All our projects | openDemocracy
    Every Thursday, openDemocracy brings together a panel of experts to discuss topics ranging from global economics to racialised inequality. Join for free to ...
  43. [43]
    https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/labour-competitions-and-markets-authority-pro-business-deregulate-corporate-capture-keir-starmer/
  44. [44]
    AMA Thread: Martin Williams (OpenDemocracy Investigations Editor ...
    Apr 24, 2024 · It's correct to say that the IEA isn't the only one that has been criticised for its lack of transparency (although it's understandably received ...
  45. [45]
    https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/in-solidarity-podcast/
  46. [46]
    Introducing the Discourses series - openDemocracy
    Mar 17, 2010 · openDemocracy is launching a new quarterly series of live art events featuring art exhibitions and discussions on a wide array of social, ...
  47. [47]
    Brexit Series on openDemocracy | UCL European Institute
    Dec 13, 2016 · This week sees a series of articles on business and trade after Brexit appear on the openDemocracy website as part of our Brexit Divisions ...
  48. [48]
    Dark Money Investigations - openDemocracy
    Published in: Dark Money Investigations: Investigation. UK universities take millions from defence companies arming Israel.
  49. [49]
    Democracy for Sale: Dark Money and Dirty Politics - Google Books
    He led openDemocracy's investigations into dark money in British politics that were nominated for a 2019 British Journalism award and the Paul Foot award. His ...<|separator|>
  50. [50]
    The U.S. Funding Behind the Anti-Gender Movements in Europe
    These groups do not reveal the sources of their funding, but openDemocracy has revealed that two U.S. charities—the National Christian Foundation (NCF) and ...
  51. [51]
    Tracking the Backlash - openDemocracy
    openDemocracy is an independent international media platform covering news, ideas and culture which seeks to challenge power and encourage democratic debate.
  52. [52]
    136707 - openDemocracy - Ford Foundation
    Support for OpenDemocracy for a consortium of journalists working across borders to track and challenge the backlash against women's and LGBTIQ rights globally.Missing: founding | Show results with:founding
  53. [53]
    Shine A Light | A UK investigative journalism project - openDemocracy
    UK investigative reporting on immigration detention and removal, deaths in state care or custody, prisons and child prisoners, outsourcing and austerity.Missing: examples | Show results with:examples
  54. [54]
    shinealight | openDemocracy
    UK investigative reporting on immigration detention and removal, deaths in state care or custody, prisons and child
  55. [55]
    Forgotten key workers - openDemocracy
    A new series exploring how Britain's broken labour market has neglected its key workers ... An series by openDemocracy and the Bretton Woods Project. Read now ...
  56. [56]
    Open Society Foundations - Bias and Credibility
    We rate Open Society Foundations Left Biased based on funding and support for political causes that align with the progressive left.Missing: openDemocracy | Show results with:openDemocracy
  57. [57]
    Institute for Economic Affairs loses battle over 'hard-right lobby group ...
    Aug 9, 2021 · A secretive think tank has lost a two-year legal battle over suggestions that it is a “hard-right lobby group”.
  58. [58]
    'A corruption of Conservatism': how a cartel of Tory MPs broke British ...
    Aug 6, 2020 · Peter Geoghegan shows how the European Research Group became a tightly organised 'party within a party' that set the UK on course for a no-deal Brexit.
  59. [59]
    Who Funds You No Longer? Mass Lay Offs at Leftist OpenDemocracy
    Mass Lay Offs at Leftist OpenDemocracy. It appears to be a bad start to Q2 for the left-wingers at OpenDemocracy. Guido's been scrolling through social media ...
  60. [60]
    https://informationrights.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk/DBFiles/Decision/i2848/Cabinet%20Office%20%20EA.2020.0240%20Open%20Decision.pdf
  61. [61]
    UK government loses legal battle over transparency of 'Orwellian' unit
    Jun 8, 2021 · The openDemocracy website first requested in 2018 that the Cabinet Office release information about the Clearing House but it declined ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  62. [62]
    FoI blacklists: Open Democracy claims win against Cabinet Office
    Jun 8, 2021 · Open Democracy claims win over FoI blacklists as tribunal condemns Cabinet Office 'profound lack of transparency'. By Dominic Ponsford. FoI ...
  63. [63]
    Why we're suing over the £23m NHS data deal with Palantir
    Feb 24, 2021 · openDemocracy is different Join the conversation: get our weekly email ... lawsuit, which even if you win will do nothing to install a ...
  64. [64]
    Jeffrey Donaldson sued us. Here's why we're going public
    May 10, 2021 · For small, non-profit media outlets like openDemocracy, the risks are even higher. Losing one court case could literally put us out of business.
  65. [65]
    openDemocracy is being sued by an organisation linked to a ...
    Sep 21, 2022 · The claimants are also suing the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) and the Telegraph for reporting on the same subject. Their lawsuit ...
  66. [66]
    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-corrupt-elites-abusing-uk-legal-system-to-silence-critics
  67. [67]
    SLAPPs taskforce: Government must go further to protect journalists ...
    Sep 11, 2023 · ... Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) after pressure from openDemocracy and other publications. The taskforce will meet every two ...
  68. [68]
    UK government faces calls in Parliament for inquiry into third-party ...
    Mar 4, 2021 · Citing openDemocracy's recent reporting in Parliament on Thursday 4 March, the former shadow chancellor said a “serious and in-depth inquiry ...
  69. [69]
    [PDF] Written evidence from openDemocracy (FOI 24)
    This appearance of an aversion to transparency at the heart of government is supported by the Cabinet Office's FOI compliance record – the worst in Whitehall – ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies<|separator|>
  70. [70]
    Cabinet Office handling of FoI requests inquiry launched - Committees
    Jul 8, 2021 · OpenDemocracy, who brought the case, accused the body of obstructing access to information they are entitled to seek under the FoI rules.
  71. [71]
    openDemocracy uses PolicyMogul data to examine think tanks
    Dec 15, 2023 · The report offers potential funders and members of the public an independent assessment of 64 think tanks in the UK, all of which seek to ...
  72. [72]
    Opening up political influence: announcing declared. - Medium
    Aug 27, 2020 · Opening up political influence: announcing declared. We've been working with OpenDemocracy to help build declared.
  73. [73]
    [PDF] Cheques and Balances - Countering the Influence of Big Money in ...
    POSITION PAPER – CHEQUES AND BALANCES: COUNTERING THE INFLUENCE OF BIG MONEY IN UK POLITICS 17. 3. Overseas trips xiv https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/qatar ...<|separator|>
  74. [74]
    Study: Do George Soros and Open Society Foundations Really ...
    Feb 3, 2022 · “We find that OSF funding does not have much of an impact at the country level in a select number of outcomes that we can measure,” said Núñez.
  75. [75]
    openDemocracy | Devex
    Through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, openDemocracy seeks to challenge power and encourage democratic debate across the world. With ...Missing: founding mission