The C.HA.S.E Project: Fostering a Safer European Digital Space against Gender-Based Hate Speech
A full presentation of the project will be provided during a webinar on Monday 29 September starting at 5pm. The event, titled “Youth Engagement in Combating Hate Speech” is organised in collaboration with partner ECHR. Registrations are open here.
C.H.A.S.E brings together media professionals, legal experts, technologists, and civil society organizations from 5 European countries: Cyprus, Belgium, France, Greece, and Italy. It engages a powerful local, cross-sectoral coalition of 9 organizations led by the Media Diversity Institute Global (MDIG), and including WAN-IFRA, Symplexis, Proto Thema, the European Centre for Human Rights (ECHR), the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), Alpha Cyprus, CESIE and ITML.
C.H.A.S.E. is grounded in local research analytics and has adopted a comprehensive approach to support the different actors in tackling the complex angles of online gender-based hate speech. The project is premised on the understanding that online media platforms are both arenas for hate speech and essential actors in its prevention, while many lack the tools, policies, or training to effectively moderate harmful content.
Research Underpinning
The project kicked off with research activities on legal analysis, content monitoring, and stakeholder consultation findings that resulted in three core publications aimed at developing better strategies and tools for identifying, preventing, and addressing online hate speech in digital media spaces.
The report: “Online hate speech on the grounds of gender/gender identity: legal framework analysis and mapping of existing response practices” is a legal and policy analysis based on findings from in-depth national reports and an international workshop with media professionals and stakeholders in Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy. The work highlighted gaps in legislation and enforcement, providing recommendations for stronger legal protections and better training for justice and law enforcement professionals.
In Greece, for example, while laws exist to combat racist and xenophobic speech, gender is not explicitly recognized as a protected characteristic. Similarly, Italy’s Mancino Law from 1993 about hate speech and discrimination does not cover gender identity, leaving vulnerable groups with limited legal recourse. In Cyprus, fragmentation of laws addressing hate speech and vague definitions create a challenging environment, and the current legal framework does not adequately address sexism, misogyny, or transphobia online and offline. Although the law in France protects freedom of expression and hate speech has been addressed through adaptations, the challenge remains in actually punishing internet users.
The full report further details each country’s case, the laws and jurisprudence based on which hate speech could be limited.
During the international workshop held online in July 2024, participants raised concerns about the rise in targeted campaigns against the LGBTQI+ community, the exploitation of vulnerability of women reporters to online attacks, and the chilling effect of harassment on journalistic freedom. User-friendly technology, multilingual support, and clear definitions and legal guidelines are central to improving the state of platforms and the experience of users.
The research showed that online hate speech on the grounds of gender and gender identity is widespread across Europe and displays alarming trends:
The project produced two additional key research works that offer actionable insights for media professionals, civil society, legal experts, and policymakers.
“Online Hate Speech Patterns in Media Platforms’ Comments Sections“examines how hate speech manifests in the comment sections of major online media platforms. The findings reveal persistent patterns of misogyny and transphobia and offer insights for moderators and media organisations aiming to foster inclusive dialogue.
The report “Needs Analysis Report for Online Media“ outlines the needs and challenges faced by online media in identifying and tackling gender-based hate speech. It combines qualitative analysis, focus group insights, and stakeholder interviews. The findings informed the development of a real-time ICT tool to support media in addressing hateful content.
Next Phase: Capacity Building and Awareness
The project emphasizes education and collaboration. It offers training to journalists, moderators, and legal experts. It helps raise public awareness on the problem and fosters cross-border cooperation between media, civil society, and EU institutions.
The innovation C.H.A.S.E brings lies in its technical solution development components.
C.H.A.S.E contributes to providing what the majority of online users still prefer: a safe and inclusive online space free from hate speech. Indeed the Oxford University published earlier this year a global survey of 13,500 respondents aged 16-69, showing that the majority of users preferred harmful social media content such as physical threats and defamation to be restricted, favouring safety over unbound freedom of expression.
A key output of the C.H.A.S.E project is the development of an AI-powered moderation tool designed to help online media platforms detect, moderate, and report hate speech in real time. The tool uses advanced machine learning algorithms to analyse text, recognize patterns, and classify content, while respecting freedom of expression and privacy laws. The launch happened during a co-creation workshop in July 2025 where different media houses from across the represented countries gave input on the design.
Starting on 1st October 2025 partner media outlets in several EU countries will test the tool in real-world settings, ensuring it is practical, user-friendly, and effective before broader rollout.
The Final Steps
On October 9 and 10, the consortium will be hosting a training of trainers in Cyprus focused on finalizing and learning the ins and outs of C.HA.S.E.’s newly developed moderation tool and issuing a code of conduct for online media.
In the meantime, the consortium partners will be working closely with different in-country media houses to test the tool in real-time on their platforms and provide key reports.
By December 2025 trainings will be offered by the partners to allow interested online media to use the C.HA.S.E. tool independently.
The project will wrap-up in January 2026 in Brussels, where it all started and where we will continue to make efforts to incorporate recommendations in European legislation.
C.H.A.S.E is more than a research initiative. It is a call for action and proof that technical solutions for online safety are there when there is the will. By combining legal insight, technological innovation, and media engagement, C.H.A.S.E aims to create a safer, more inclusive European digital public sphere. As online hate continues to evolve, so must our responses.
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the awarding authority can be held responsible for them. [Project number: 101143159]
