The activity is part of the European project Hatedemics, an initiative funded by the European Union that seeks to understand, prevent and combat the spread of hate speech and disinformation online, especially in contexts of high social polarisation. The project brings together 12 organisations from Italy, Spain, Malta and Poland and works through an interdisciplinary approach that combines research, public advocacy, media literacy and citizen participation.
According to Clara Jiménez Cruz, co-founder and CEO of Fundación Maldita.es and moderator of the event, “we are not facing an isolated problem, but rather a structural change in the digital ecosystem. Digital platforms prioritise content that generates reaction and confrontation, and this has a direct impact on the quality of public debate, on coexistence and on democracy, but also on the safety of their own users”.
A day to understand the internet that is coming
The day will begin in the morning with a space for analysis and public debate, focused on the major challenges currently facing the digital ecosystem and that will shape the course of the internet in the coming years. Through different talks and round tables, the event will address how disinformation, polarisation and hate speech have become structural phenomena of the online environment, and what responses are possible from civil society, institutions and users themselves.
The first block will be dedicated to analysing hate on the internet in 2026, focusing both on current problems and possible solutions. Organisations such as OBERAXE or FELGTBI+ will take part in this conversation, sharing their direct experience of the real impact of digital hate in different social spheres.
Next, the European project Hatedemics will be presented, an initiative that investigates how hate speech and disinformation spread in crisis contexts, followed by a Show & Tell to analyse specific cases of content generated by artificial intelligence on TikTok, exploring how these new technological dynamics are amplifying hate narratives and making them harder to detect.
During the morning, the role of tech giants in political and social polarisation will also be discussed, as well as “The adventure of seeking quality information on major digital platforms”, a panel on the declining presence of media content and verified information on the main social networks and search engines.
Participation in the activities is free of charge upon prior registration at the following link: https://bit.ly/4tmUBVK
From reflection to action: workshop on strategies against hoaxes and online hate
The day will conclude in the afternoon with a practical workshop aimed especially at young people and anyone interested in acquiring concrete strategies to combat disinformation and hate speech on the internet. Through participatory dynamics and real examples, participants will be able to put into practice tools and techniques to identify hoaxes, question polarised narratives and act effectively in their own digital environments.
The workshop will have an applied and approachable focus, introducing the platform and tools developed within the framework of the Hatedemics project, designed so that each participant can take away useful and replicable resources for their daily lives.
To take part in the workshop, registration is required via this form: https://bit.ly/3McfaU2
Workshop capacity is limited. A certificate of attendance will be provided.