Funding a policy organisation in a way which provides reasonable independence and allows fair reward for those researching policy areas is the most significant challenge Open Digital faces.
Some think tanks stand accused of becoming enslaved to their backers, afraid to stray into policy areas their backers find uncomfortable; and, occasionally, promoting the vested interests of their backers.
Sponsored reports inevitably lead to research and advocacy following the money. And because incumbents have the most cash to spend, the policy areas incumbents want examined get examined. But who stands up for the innovators, emerging businesses and the public?
Academic organisations generally act with independence, but are often slow off the mark for analysis and research into rapidly evolving technology.
Civil society groups also play an independent role; but, reliant on public donations, its necessary for such groups to create a certain level of noise in order to maintain support, and sometimes the message gets lost in the noise.
And for an organisation attempting to influence public policy, it is simply wrong for us to charge for access to reports and white papers. Research which affects public policy must be open to public scrutiny, it's as simple as that.
Read about our funding plans here.
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