Agents of Democracy - Civil Society Under Attack

The most important pillar of democracy is under attack: civil society.

Where populists and autocrats rule, civil liberties, government critics and non-governmental organisations are under pressure. Even worse: activists are not only attacked or arrested; laws also criminalise them and deprive them of funding. Not only committed individuals, but also NGOs operating worldwide have become targets of those in power. Are we living in times of a global frontal attack on civil society? And what happens when this important pillar of democracy is silenced? What can be done to counter this development? The film embarks on a journalistic journey to find answers in India, Russia and Poland.