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{{Short description|UK-based political website}}
{{Short description|UK-based news website}}
{{about|the UK-based website| the U.S.-based organization|Coalition for Open Democracy}}
{{about|the UK-based website| the U.S.-based organization|Coalition for Open Democracy}}
{{lowercase title|title=openDemocracy.net}}
{{lowercase title|title=openDemocracy.net}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox website
{{Infobox website
| name = openDemocracy
| name = openDemocracy
| logo = Opendemocracy.net logo.png
| logo = Opendemocracy.net logo.png
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_size = 250px
| screenshot =
| screenshot =
| caption =
⚫
| collapsible =
| caption =
⚫
| collapsetext =
⚫
| collapsible =
⚫
| url = {{url|opendemocracy.net}}
⚫
| collapsetext =
| headquarters = London
⚫
| url = {{url|opendemocracy.net}}
| commercial = Nonprofit
| commercial = No
⚫
| registration = No
| type =
| type = Independent media organisation
⚫
| registration =
| advertising = No
| language = English
| language = English, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
| num_users =
| num_users = 11 million (2021)
| content_license =
| content_license = [[Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International]]
| content_licence =
| programming_language = [[Python (programming language)|Python]]
| programming language =
| owner = openDemocracy Foundation for the Advancement of Global Education
| owner = openDemocracy Foundation for the Advancement of Global Education
| author = [[Anthony Barnett (writer)|Anthony Barnett]], David Hayes, Susan Richards and [[Paul Hilder]]
| author = {{ubl|[[Anthony Barnett (writer)|Anthony Barnett]]|David Hayes|Susan Richards|[[Paul Hilder]]}}
| editor = Peter Geoghegan
| editor = Aman Sethi
| key_people = = Lakshmi Sundaram (director)
| key_people = Satbir Singh (Chief Executive)
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2001|05|df=no}}
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2001|05|df=no}}
| revenue =
| revenue =
| operating_income = £2.96m (2021)<ref name="openDemocracywebsite2022">{{cite web |url=https://cdn2.opendemocracy.net/media/documents/openDemocracy_annual_report_2021-22.pdf |title=openDemocracy Annual Report 2021–2022 |work=Annual Reports |publisher=openDemocracy |date=28 July 2022 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801161304/https://cdn2.opendemocracy.net/media/documents/openDemocracy_annual_report_2021-22.pdf |archivedate=1 August 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 }}</ref>
| current_status = Active
| current_status = Active
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| logocaption =
| logocaption =
| country_of_origin = United Kingdom
| area_served = International
| ISSN = 1476-5888
| oclc = 988806400
| employees = 62 (2021)<ref name="openDemocracywebsite2022" />
}}
}}
'''openDemocracy''' is an independent media platform based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2001, openDemocracy states that through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, they seek to "challenge power and encourage democratic debate" around the world.<ref name="Abjorensen">{{cite book |last1=Abjorensen |first1=Norman |title=Historical Dictionary of Democracy |date=2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-53812-074-3 |page=270 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cNSSDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA270}}</ref> The founders of the website have been involved with established media and political activism. It has been funded by the [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation]] among other organisations, including the [[Open Society Foundations]], the [[Ford Foundation]] and [[Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendemocracy.net/about/supporters|title=openDemocracy's Supporters|date=2014-10-01|website=openDemocracy|language=en|access-date=2017-08-24}}</ref>
'''openDemocracy''' is an independent media platform and news website based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2001, openDemocracy states that through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, they seek to "challenge power and encourage democratic debate" around the world.<ref name="Abjorensen">{{cite book |last1=Abjorensen |first1=Norman |title=Historical Dictionary of Democracy |date=2019 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-53812-074-3 |page=270 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cNSSDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA270}}</ref> The founders of the website have been involved with established media and political activism. The platform has been funded by grants from organisations such as [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation]], the [[Open Society Foundations]], the [[Ford Foundation]], and [[Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust]], as well as by receiving direct donations from readers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendemocracy.net/about/supporters|title=openDemocracy's Supporters|date=1 October 2014|website=openDemocracy|language=en|access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="openDemocracywebsite2022" />


==History==
== History ==
openDemocracy was founded in 2000 by [[Anthony Barnett (writer)|Anthony Barnett]], David Hayes, Susan Richards and [[Paul Hilder]].<ref name="Couldry & Curran">{{cite book |last1=Couldry |first1=Nick |last2=Curran |first2=James |title=Contesting Media Power: Alternative Media in a Networked World |date=2003 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-74252-385-2 |pages=228–232 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tiFY59xGHBkC&pg=PA228}}</ref> First publication began in May 2001.<ref>Tony Bennett (Autumn/Winter 2005-06). "Opening up democracy, interview with the founder of openDemocracy.net Anthony Barnett" (PDF). ''Society Matters'' (8): 15. Retrieved 2017-01-26.</ref>
openDemocracy was founded in 2000 by [[Anthony Barnett (writer)|Anthony Barnett]], David Hayes, Susan Richards and [[Paul Hilder]].<ref name="Couldry & Curran">{{cite book |last1=Couldry |first1=Nick |last2=Curran |first2=James |title=Contesting Media Power: Alternative Media in a Networked World |date=2003 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-74252-385-2 |pages=228–232 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tiFY59xGHBkC&pg=PA228}}</ref> First publication began in May 2001.<ref>Tony Bennett (Autumn/Winter 2005-06). "Opening up democracy, interview with the founder of openDemocracy.net Anthony Barnett" (PDF). ''Society Matters'' (8): 15. Retrieved 26 January 2017.</ref>


⚫
Founder Anthony Barnett, [[Charter 88]] organiser and political campaigner, was the first editor (2001–2005) and [[Isabel Hilton]] was editor from 2005 to 2007. She was succeeded in 2010 by Rosemary Bechler, who in turn handed over the editorship to Adam Ramsay in 2019. In 2012 the editor-in-chief was Magnus Nome,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wynick |first1=Alex |title=Open Democracy editor says future is 'bright' after £250,000 fundraising drive saves site from closure |url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/open-democracy-editor-says-future-is-bright-after-250000-fundraising-drive-saves-site-from-closure/ |work=[[Press Gazette]] |date=4 April 2013}}</ref> who was succeeded by Mary Fitzgerald.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mary Fitzgerald |url=https://www.journalismfestival.com/speaker/mary-fitzgerald |publisher=International Journalism Festival}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=February 2024|reason=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracy-history/}}
⚫
Originally attracting a meagre following, visits to openDemocracy's website grew exponentially following the [[September 11 attacks]] after it published an article by [[Todd Gitlin]] on the subject, who was in New York during the attacks. In his article, Gitlin wrote that what was needed was "a focused military response— a precise one, not a revenge spasm... but an action that distinguishes killers from civilians." openDemocracy began receiving daily international contributors and many Americans who were dissatisfied with their media's coverage on the issue logged onto the website for an alternative source. With a shift to a more broad base, the e-magazine "became a forum of debate for political activists, academics, journalists, businesspeople, politicians, and international civil servants from around the world" drawing interest from charitable sponsors.<ref name="Couldry & Curran"/>


=== Recent events ===
⚫
By 2002, the three main topics of debate covered on the website were: the impact of globalisation, the use and abuse of American power around the world and the character of Islam. As the magazine grew, so too did its coverage of topics from climate change and regulation of global markets to the future of multiculturalism and the impact of migration.<ref name="Curran">{{cite book |last1=Curran |first1=James |title=Media and Democracy |date=2011 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-13437-223-2 |pages=86–90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JbwQ9OeVSMgC&pg=PA86}}</ref> openDemocracy's mission statement asserts: "With human rights as our central guiding focus, we ask tough questions about freedom, justice and democracy. We give those fighting for their rights the agency to make their case and to inspire action."<ref name="Abjorensen"/>


On 21 September 2022, the organisation announced that they were being sued in the UK by a company linked to the former [[President of Kazakhstan]] [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=openDemocracy is being sued for public interest reporting |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracy-bureau-investigative-journalism-sued-kazakh-dictator-nazarbayev/ |last=Williams |first=Martin |date=21 September 2022 |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=openDemocracy |language=en}}</ref><ref name="TheGuardianNazarbayev">{{cite news |last=Neate |first=Rupert |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/21/four-media-outlets-facing-libel-claims-over-reporting-nursultan-nazarbayev-fund |title=Four media outlets facing libel claims over Nursultan Nazarbayev reports |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 September 2022 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923121014/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/21/four-media-outlets-facing-libel-claims-over-reporting-nursultan-nazarbayev-fund |archivedate=23 September 2022 |accessdate=10 October 2022 }}</ref>
In 2008, the website averaged 224,000 monthly visits while receiving visits from 229 countries in the previous two years.<ref name="Curran"/>{{update inline|date=August 2021}} It today attracts around 8 million hits a year.<ref name="Abjorensen"/>

== Ownership and finances ==

⚫
openDemocracy is owned and published through a non-profit foundation. It has been funded by a number of philanthropic organisations, among them the [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation|Mott Foundation]], [[Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust]], [[Ford Foundation]], David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Lush, Andrew Wainwright Trust and the Network for Social Change.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendemocracy.net/about/supporters|title=Our supporters|website=openDemocracy}}</ref>

== Readership and audience ==

⚫
Originally attracting a meagre following, visits to openDemocracy's website grew exponentially following the [[September 11 attacks]] after it published an article by [[Todd Gitlin]] on the subject, who was in New York during the attacks. In his article, Gitlin presciently wrote that what was needed was "a focused military response—a precise one, not a revenge spasm&nbsp;... but an action that distinguishes killers from civilians." openDemocracy began receiving daily international contributors and many Americans who were dissatisfied with their media's coverage on the issue logged onto the website for an alternative source. With a shift to a more broad based readership, the e-magazine "became a forum of debate for political activists, academics, journalists, businesspeople, politicians, and international civil servants from around the world" drawing interest from charitable sponsors.<ref name="Couldry & Curran"/>

⚫
By 2002, the three main topics of debate covered on the website were: the impact of globalisation, the use and abuse of American power around the world and the character of Islam. As the magazine grew, so too did its coverage of topics from climate change and regulation of global markets to the future of multiculturalism and the impact of migration.<ref name="Curran">{{cite book |last1=Curran |first1=James |title=Media and Democracy |date=2011 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-13437-223-2 |pages=86–90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JbwQ9OeVSMgC&pg=PA86}}</ref> openDemocracy's mission statement asserts: "With human rights as our central guiding focus, we ask tough questions about freedom, justice and democracy. We give those fighting for their rights the agency to make their case and to inspire action."<ref name="Abjorensen"/>


In terms of readership, the website had nearly 9 million unique visitors in 2021, with 40% of all returning readers coming from the UK.<ref name="openDemocracywebsite2022" />
⚫
openDemocracy is owned and published through a non-profit foundation. It has been funded by a number of philanthropic organisations, including the [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation|Mott Foundation]], [[Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust]], [[Ford Foundation]], David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Lush, Andrew Wainwright Trust and the Network for Social Change.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendemocracy.net/about/supporters|title=Our supporters|website=openDemocracy}}</ref>


The [[Library of Congress]] stated, "openDemocracy is the leading independent website on global current affairs--offering stimulating, critical analysis, promoting dialogue and debate on issues of global importance and linking citizens from around the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0002696/ |title=openDemocracy |website=[[Library of Congress]]}}</ref>
⚫
Founder [[Anthony Barnett (writer)|Anthony Barnett]], [[Charter 88]] organiser and political campaigner, was the first editor (2001–2005) and [[Isabel Hilton]] was editor from 2005 to 2007. She was succeeded in 2010 by Rosemary Bechler, who in turn handed over the editorship to Adam Ramsay in 2019. In 2012 the editor-in-chief was Magnus Nome,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wynick |first1=Alex |title=Open Democracy editor says future is 'bright' after £250,000 fundraising drive saves site from closure |url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/open-democracy-editor-says-future-is-bright-after-250000-fundraising-drive-saves-site-from-closure/ |work=Press Gazette |date=4 April 2013}}</ref> who was succeeded by Mary Fitzgerald.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mary Fitzgerald |url=https://www.journalismfestival.com/speaker/mary-fitzgerald |publisher=International Journalism Festival}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.opendemocracy.net}}
* {{Official website|http://www.opendemocracy.net}}
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=openDemocracy |sopt=t}} (historic)


[[Category:British political websites]]
[[Category:British political websites]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2001]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2001]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in London]]
[[Category:Online publishing companies of the United Kingdom]]

Revision as of 15:39, 25 April 2024

This article is about the UK-based website. For the U.S.-based organization, see Coalition for Open Democracy.

openDemocracy
Type of site
Independent media organisation
Available inEnglish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
HeadquartersLondon
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Area servedInternational
OwneropenDemocracy Foundation for the Advancement of Global Education
Created by
EditorAman Sethi
Key peopleSatbir Singh (Chief Executive)
Operating income£2.96m (2021)[1]
Employees62 (2021)[1]
URLopendemocracy.net
AdvertisingNo
CommercialNo
RegistrationNo
Users11 million (2021)
LaunchedMay 2001; 23 years ago (2001-05)
Current statusActive
Content license
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Written inPython
ISSN1476-5888
OCLC number988806400

openDemocracy is an independent media platform and news website based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2001, openDemocracy states that through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, they seek to "challenge power and encourage democratic debate" around the world.[2] The founders of the website have been involved with established media and political activism. The platform has been funded by grants from organisations such as Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Ford Foundation, and Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, as well as by receiving direct donations from readers.[3][1]

History

openDemocracy was founded in 2000 by Anthony Barnett, David Hayes, Susan Richards and Paul Hilder.[4] First publication began in May 2001.[5]

Founder Anthony Barnett, Charter 88 organiser and political campaigner, was the first editor (2001–2005) and Isabel Hilton was editor from 2005 to 2007. She was succeeded in 2010 by Rosemary Bechler, who in turn handed over the editorship to Adam Ramsay in 2019. In 2012 the editor-in-chief was Magnus Nome,[6] who was succeeded by Mary Fitzgerald.[7][needs update]

Recent events

On 21 September 2022, the organisation announced that they were being sued in the UK by a company linked to the former President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.[8][9]

Ownership and finances

openDemocracy is owned and published through a non-profit foundation. It has been funded by a number of philanthropic organisations, among them the Mott Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Ford Foundation, David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Lush, Andrew Wainwright Trust and the Network for Social Change.[10]

Readership and audience

Originally attracting a meagre following, visits to openDemocracy's website grew exponentially following the September 11 attacks after it published an article by Todd Gitlin on the subject, who was in New York during the attacks. In his article, Gitlin presciently wrote that what was needed was "a focused military response—a precise one, not a revenge spasm ... but an action that distinguishes killers from civilians." openDemocracy began receiving daily international contributors and many Americans who were dissatisfied with their media's coverage on the issue logged onto the website for an alternative source. With a shift to a more broad based readership, the e-magazine "became a forum of debate for political activists, academics, journalists, businesspeople, politicians, and international civil servants from around the world" drawing interest from charitable sponsors.[4]

By 2002, the three main topics of debate covered on the website were: the impact of globalisation, the use and abuse of American power around the world and the character of Islam. As the magazine grew, so too did its coverage of topics from climate change and regulation of global markets to the future of multiculturalism and the impact of migration.[11] openDemocracy's mission statement asserts: "With human rights as our central guiding focus, we ask tough questions about freedom, justice and democracy. We give those fighting for their rights the agency to make their case and to inspire action."[2]

In terms of readership, the website had nearly 9 million unique visitors in 2021, with 40% of all returning readers coming from the UK.[1]

The Library of Congress stated, "openDemocracy is the leading independent website on global current affairs--offering stimulating, critical analysis, promoting dialogue and debate on issues of global importance and linking citizens from around the world."[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "openDemocracy Annual Report 2021–2022" (PDF). Annual Reports. openDemocracy. 28 July 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b Abjorensen, Norman (2019). Historical Dictionary of Democracy. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-53812-074-3.
  3. ^ "openDemocracy's Supporters". openDemocracy. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b Couldry, Nick; Curran, James (2003). Contesting Media Power: Alternative Media in a Networked World. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 228–232. ISBN 978-0-74252-385-2.
  5. ^ Tony Bennett (Autumn/Winter 2005-06). "Opening up democracy, interview with the founder of openDemocracy.net Anthony Barnett" (PDF). Society Matters (8): 15. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  6. ^ Wynick, Alex (4 April 2013). "Open Democracy editor says future is 'bright' after £250,000 fundraising drive saves site from closure". Press Gazette.
  7. ^ "Mary Fitzgerald". International Journalism Festival.
  8. ^ Williams, Martin (21 September 2022). "openDemocracy is being sued for public interest reporting". openDemocracy. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  9. ^ Neate, Rupert (21 September 2022). "Four media outlets facing libel claims over Nursultan Nazarbayev reports". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Our supporters". openDemocracy.
  11. ^ Curran, James (2011). Media and Democracy. Taylor & Francis. pp. 86–90. ISBN 978-1-13437-223-2.
  12. ^ "openDemocracy". Library of Congress.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=OpenDemocracy&oldid=1220731091"