Giving a strong voice to all in society

State funding of NGO lobbying is essential for democracy, writes Anna Visser

ON the surface it may seem natural that any government would be hesitant to fund criticism of its own policies.

Is this not simply a case of an organisation in receipt of state funds biting the hand that feeds it? At first glance the argument against state funding of “political activity” such as social justice advocacy by civil society organisations seems pretty solid.