Freedom of opinion and open debate are core values of a free society. However, social media and comment sections on news platforms have lowered the threshold for hostility online. Hostile comments create an environment in which those targeted do not feel safe and in which not everyone can express themselves freely. This threatens democracy.
Online hate speech is widespread and has real consequences. Stop Hate Speech researches what works against it and makes this knowledge available to those affected and to those committed to taking action.
Faced with this reality, Stop Hate Speech operates on two fronts: we raise awareness in civil society and empower people who are targeted by hate speech. We encourage everyone not to let hate go unchallenged, but to actively respond with counter-speech.
To this end, we provide evidence-based resources, hands-on training and concrete recommendations for action. At the same time, we support individuals and organisations that are attacked online, with the aim of helping them protect themselves and remain visible. We offer tools, practical tips and, on request, personal guidance.
Stop Hate Speech was made possible by the Migros Pioneer Fund. With its support, and together with our research partners, we developed "Bot Dog" — an algorithm that detects hate speech online and today forms an important foundation of our analyses.
The Immigration Policy Lab investigates the impact of policies on migration and integration, with the goal of determining what policy instruments work and which ones don’t as well as developing new solution approaches, all based on empirical evidence. Based on extensive data and state-of-the-art statistical techniques, the research group provides the scientific basis for a better coexistence within society.
The Digital Democracy Lab explores the impact of digital technologies on politics and democracy by using methods from computational social science. It offers a research infrastructure that allows for efficient, scalable and reproducible data collection and analysis. Key areas of the research are political communication and public opinions, e-government and public administration, AI and governance, civil technologies and political involvement, regulating technology platforms as well as governmental repression and surveillance.
Innosuisse is the Swiss Innovation Agency. Innosuisse has been tasked with promoting scientifically founded innovation in the interest of economy and society.
The Migros Pioneer Fund supports pioneer projects around societal changes to break new ground and test forward-looking solutions. The impact-driven approach unites financial support with coaching-like services in the pioneer lab. The companies of the Migros Group make the Migros Pioneer Fund possible with a yearly contribution of roughly ten million Swiss Francs and has been part of the Migros Culture Percentage since 2012.
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