Understanding and responding to hate speech
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What you’ll learn

By the end of this course you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the key elements of the hate speech concept.
  • Identify and provide an overview of the international framework on addressing hate speech
  • Describe the key elements of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and how it applies in your context
  • Map your hate speech response system and identify current and future priorities for action with your key partners

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for:
  • Civil society professionals working on hate speech monitoring or support
  • DSA actors - Digital Services Coordinators, trusted flaggers, vetted researchers, internet intermediaries partners
  • Public authorities and international organisations implementing hate speech policies
  • Change agents seeking to understand and apply practical legal tools and collaborative strategies

Why learn with us

  • Collaborative learning with professionals across sectors
  • Expert feedback tailored to your context
  • Flexible participation - self-paced plus live sessions
  • Action-oriented outcomes you can use immediately

Quick facts

  • Dates 14 April – 7 May 2026
  • Format: Online
  • Language: English
  • Commitment: 3–4 hours/week

About the course

Hate speech undermines dignity, marginalises communities, and erodes democratic values. In online spaces it spreads fast and can be hard to recognise, especially in coded or emerging forms. This course gives you the concepts, frameworks, and tools to tackle hate speech effectively – including how to apply international standards and the Digital Services Act (DSA) in your work.

How it works

This online course includes: 

Weekly self-paced content you complete in your own time 
Weekly assignments applying learning to your own context 
Weekly live interactive tutorials with peers and expert tutors

Live sessions (13:00–14:30 CET):

  • Tue 14 Apr — Introduction (optional)
  • Thu 23 Apr — Module 1
  • Thu 30 Apr — Module 2
  • Thu 7 May — Module 3.
Participant from the 2025 Cohort
[The tutors] did an absolutely amazing job engaging all the students, teaching key concepts, and ensuring we understood the materials. They were incredibly professional, academically strong, and genuinely kind throughout the course.

Meet the tutors

Our tutors are experienced practitioners in hate speech policy, international law, the Digital Services Act, and multi-stakeholder cooperation:

Joanna Perry – Research and Policy Lead, Facing Facts Network; independent consultant; Associate Research Fellow, Birkbeck, University of London

Daniel Heller – Hate Speech Lead, Facing Facts Network; specialist in political science, racism, and intersectionality

Karoline Fernández de la Hoz – Former Director, Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE)

Certificate

Participants who complete all requirements will receive a certificate of completion from Facing Facts Online.

Application closes 13 March

We review applications to ensure a balanced and engaged group from diverse professional and community backgrounds. If selected, you’ll receive an invitation to finalise registration and payment.

Application deadline: 13 March 2026
 Fee: €199 (civil society) | €299 (public authorities)

For more information, click to download our course info-pack

Download the course info-pack to learn more. → CLICK HERE

FAQ

Apply here

Understanding & Responding
to Hate Speech

Frequently Asked Questions — Course Info Pack 2026

Our course is designed for professionals with limited time. You'll have activities to complete at any time during the week (some optional, some required), one flexible assignment you can adapt to your context (no minimum word count), and a 1.5-hour live tutorial. Overall, you should plan for around 3–4 hours per week.
You will be joined by fellow learners with relevant roles in responding to hate speech — including Digital Services Coordinators, community support experts, Trusted Flaggers, and police. The course is designed to deepen your knowledge, learn from each other, and be supported by expert tutors. Previous participants have found it a great opportunity to build relationships and draw inspiration from peers.
It depends! This course is designed for learners with relevant roles in responding to hate speech — Digital Services Coordinators, community support experts, Trusted Flaggers, and police. If you have just started your role, this course is likely to be very useful for you. See the next question for details on our application process.
Our application process ensures that participants are in some kind of current role responding to hate speech, whether they have deep or limited experience. This is what we call our community of practice — a curated group that makes learning richer and more relevant for everyone.
Free courses can be a great starting point, but this course is tutor-led, research-informed, and practice-based. The fee covers weekly live tutorials, expert feedback on assignments, and high-quality content using the latest online learning design principles. Our previous participants say the course is directly applicable to their work — and 89% would recommend it to others.
We recommend at least B2 English as the course includes reading materials, live discussions, and written assignments. During live tutorials everyone is encouraged to speak slowly and avoid jargon. Captions are available in all tutorials and videos.
Yes! Our courses are fully designed for anyone using a screen reader or assistive device and comply with internationally recognised accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
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Still have questions? Visit our website for more information.

Visit facingfactsonline.eu →

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