An organisation funded by a millionaire, the Tech Transparency Project, published the article ‘Find Out Which Groups Get Big Tech Funding‘, of course that is very relevant. However, it is just as relevant when states and millionaires are funding media and NGOs.

The organisation behind the Tech Transparency Project is financed (amongst others) by Open Society Foundations that describes itself as follows:

The Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros, are the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. We provide thousands of grants every year through a network of national and regional foundations and offices, funding a vast array of projects—many of them now shaped by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other donors of the project are mentioned here.

Time has come for a Millionaire Transparency Project

I am very interested to see how dependent NGOs and media in practice are on state sponsorship and sponsorship by millionaires. No problem when millionaires spend their money in a useful way, but the political influence may be large. So it is time for a Millionaire Transparency Project! That is much more relevant than the current activities of states in regard of small donors (thus hampering the not-for-profit sector, like in the Netherlands with a recent legislative proposal).

Dat is andere koek dan het achtervolgen van goedgeefse gewone burgers, waar NL mee bezig is https://t.co/ehqJiTODGl

— Ellen Timmer (@Ellen_Timmer) August 12, 2021