When I joined openDemocracy as the new Editor in Chief at the ripe old age of 31, I didn’t exactly have a fully-formed plan. I hoped that we could do important journalism and I knew that, somehow, I needed to find enough cash to keep us afloat. (No mean feat in 2014, with most media business models already in deep crisis.) I wrote somewhat optimistically at the time: “To inspire people to action, you need to offer them hope – and no matter how unsurmountable a problem seems, hope can always be found if you look hard and think creatively enough.”
I still passionately believe this. And now, stepping down almost seven years later, it seems at least some of that early optimism was justified.
The Covid-19 public inquiry is a historic chance to find out what really happened.
From a standing start of around 100 regular supporters, we’ve inspired tens of thousands of people to support us with donations, and hundreds of thousands to back our campaigns. (Find out more about how we’re funded – and how you can support us – and thank you, so much, to everyone who already has. You've made all the difference.)
Our stories have set the agenda and made front pages globally, from the Guardian to el Pais Brasil. I never imagined I'd have family in the US calling to say they'd seen openDemocracy in the New York Times, or that our stories would lead news bulletins on local radio across Ghana. And I certainly never thought I'd be able to persuade Fleet Street’s rival editors to agree, and sign, the same piece of paper.
This matters, because who holds power in journalism matters. If we change the media, we change the debate.
I’m stepping down from this dream job at the end of May to take up a new role, soon to be announced, which I hope will complement and build on all this incredible work. Our Managing Editor Julian Richards is stepping up to run our brilliant editorial team, and we're very fortunate to have Lakshmi Sundaram join us as Interim Executive Director while we recruit a new leader.
That means openDemocracy is looking for a new Editor in Chief to take our precious mission of challenging power and inspiring change to the next level.
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