A sexist comment under an article. An offensive joke in an online discussion. A coordinated attack against journalists or activists.
Gender-based hate in digital spaces often does not appear as an explicit threat, but as a combination of words, images, and narratives that, day after day, contribute to creating a hostile and discriminatory environment.
How can journalists, newsrooms, and media professionals practically address this phenomenon?
Over the past two years, the CHASE project has worked precisely on this question, involving journalists, communication professionals, and university students in training activities, awareness‑raising initiatives, and the development of practical tools to promote more responsible and inclusive communication.
Training and raising awareness: building shared skills
Among the main activities of the project is Stop Hate & Change, a training programme dedicated to countering gender-based hate online and led by Debora Barletta, an expert in human rights education and combating hate speech. During the sessions, participants explored the different forms of hate speech found in digital spaces, reflecting on how these dynamics influence public debate and on the role that journalists and media professionals can play in identifying and countering offensive or discriminatory content.
At the same time, the project organised awareness‑raising meetings for students, with the aim of increasing understanding of the risks and social impact of online hate speech. In addition, the Code of Conduct was presented through a dedicated event that illustrated its objectives, functioning, and potential application within the media sector.
These moments of exchange encouraged dialogue among young people, professionals, and trainers, helping to build greater collective responsibility in digital communication.
From Training to Concrete Resources
Training and exchange activities represented a fundamental phase of the project. The contributions, experiences, and needs that emerged during the meetings guided the development of the main resources of the CHASE project. These include:
Rulebook
A guide with principles, guidelines, and good practices for recognizing and countering gender-based hate online. The document also includes the user manual for the CHASE ICT tool, designed to support content moderation teams.
Code of Conduct
A tool aimed at journalists, editorial teams, and media organizations that defines ethical principles and professional standards to promote responsible communication that respects human rights and is sensitive to gender issues.
Organizations and professionals who choose to adopt the Code can register on the project website and receive a personalized e-badge, publicly demonstrating their commitment to more inclusive media practices.
ICT Tool
To support the practical implementation of the Code, a digital tool for moderating online content has also been developed.
The tool helps editorial teams and moderation teams to:
- identify potentially harmful content;
- analyze user reports;
- manage problematic content in a consistent and transparent way.
The objective is not to replace existing editorial policies, but to strengthen decision-making processes and promote a more human-rights-focused and gender-aware approach to managing online content.
Why These Resources Are Important
Online hate is currently one of the most complex challenges facing the media sector. Women, LGBTQI+ people, and other vulnerable groups are among those most affected by violence and harassment in digital spaces.
The resources developed by the CHASE project were created precisely to support the daily work of those operating in the information sector: practical tools, shared guidelines, and training pathways that help recognize, prevent, and counter hate speech.
These resources and tools are now available to support the everyday work of media professionals and anyone who wishes to contribute to building safer, more inclusive, and more respectful digital spaces.
About CHASE
CHASE – Combatting online Hate Speech by engaging online mEdia is a European project funded by the CERV Programme of the European Commission.
Partners
- Media Diversity Institute Global (Belgium, coordinator)
- Symplexis (Greece)
Photo Thema (Greece) - European Center for Human Rights (France)
- WAN-IFRA (France)
- Center for Social Innovation – CSI (Cyprus)
- Alpha Television (Cyprus)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- Information Technology for Market Leadership – ITML (Greece)
For more information
Read the project factsheet. Contact Luciano Cortese: luciano.cortese@cesie.org.
