openDemocracy

openDemocracy is a United Kingdom-based political website. Founded in 2001, openDemocracy claims that through reporting and analysis of social and political issues, they seek to "challenge power and encourage democratic debate" across the world.[1] 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 Foundation, the Ford Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.[2]

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

openDemocracy
Available inEnglish
OwneropenDemocracy Foundation for the Advancement of Global Education
Created byAnthony Barnett, David Hayes, Susan Richards and Paul Hilder
EditorMary Fitzgerald
URLopendemocracy.net
CommercialNonprofit
LaunchedMay 2001 (2001-05)
Current statusActive

History

openDemocracy was founded in 2000 by Anthony Barnett, David Hayes, Susan Richards and Paul Hilder.[3] Publishing started in May 2001.[4]

Originally attracting a meager 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 it, 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.[3]

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 did its coverage of topics from climate change and regulation of global markets to the future of multiculturalism and the impact of migration.[5] 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.”[1]

In 2008, the website averaged 224,000 monthly visits while receiving visits from 229 countries in the previous two years.[5] It attracts around 8 million hits a year.[1]

openDemocracy is owned and published through a non-profit foundation. It has been funded by a number of philanthropic organisations, including the Mott Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Ford Foundation, David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Lush, Andrew Wainwright Trust and the Network for Social Change.[6]

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 turned handed over to Adam Ramsay in 2019. In 2012 the editor-in-chief was Magnus Nome,[7] who was succeeded by Mary Fitzgerald.[8]

In May 2017, openDemocracy helped sponsor The Convention on Brexit.

References
  1. Abjorensen, Norman (2019). Historical Dictionary of Democracy. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-53812-074-3.
  2. "openDemocracy's Supporters". openDemocracy. 2014-10-01. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Curran, James (2011). Media and Democracy. Taylor & Francis. pp. 86–90. ISBN 978-1-13437-223-2.
  6. "Our supporters". openDemocracy.
  7. Wynick, Alex (4 April 2013). "Open Democracy editor says future is 'bright' after £250,000 fundraising drive saves site from closure". Press Gazette.
  8. "Mary Fitzgerald". International Journalism Festival.


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