Non-profit site openDemocracy raises £250K to stay open

Not-for-profit news site openDemocracy is to remain open after reaching its fundraising target.

At the end of February Journalism.co.uk reported that the site was £26,000 short of the £250,000 it needed, and would close unless the money could be raised.

In an email to registered readers sent on Friday, editor-in-chief Magnus Nome announced the site has passed the £250,000 mark.

openDemocracy, which provides in-depth analysis and coverage of issues and events that it feels are under-reported by the mainstream media, received £200,000 in pledges from philanthropic organisations, but could only get that sum released by raising a further £50,000 through its own efforts.

Nome told Journalism.co.uk today that he was "humbled" by the support.

"We are extremely happy that our supporters rallied to the cause. There was a real danger we would be closing.

"Hundreds of our supporters all over the world rallied to our support proving that there is a thirst for quality journalism online, but demonstrating that it is difficult to fund."