CONTEXT
Online hate speech and the promotion of violence remain critical challenges globally and in Armenia. Through its prior research, the All for Equal Rights Foundation (ARF) identified key patterns and issues surrounding the incitement and spread of online toxicity within public comment sections, subsequently formulating actionable recommendations, including IT solutions, to foster ethical online behavior and digital co-existence.
In 2025-2026, with support from the UK Government, ARF developed moderAItor, Armenia’s first AI-powered content moderation tool designed to detect and manage online hate speech and harassment. Subsequently, in collaboration with the Media Ethics Observatory (MEO), ARF developed the “Editorial Policy for Comment Moderation,” serving as a complementary framework to this digital solution.
Today, we return with the “moderAItor 2.0” initiative to empower media outlets, civil society organizations (CSOs), and civic initiatives committed to ethical communication in building a safer and more secure digital environment across Armenia.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The primary objective of this project is to foster a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem in Armenia, free from hate speech, insults, incitement to violence, and targeted harassment, by advancing algorithmic moderation technologies and data-driven human rights standards․ To achieve this, the upgraded moderAItor AI tool will be made available free of charge for 9 months to 15 selected media outlets and CSOs (with at least 8 being based in the regions). This will enable a strategic shift from resource-heavy, reactive moderation to automated proactive self-regulation, significantly reducing hate speech and digital harassment under public posts while safeguarding vulnerable groups, journalists, and human rights activists.
Simultaneously, the project ensures long-term structural impact across education and policy development. Interactive workshops in Yerevan and the regions will train future journalists, lawyers, and communications professionals, while research scholarships will use moderAItor’s empirical data for academic studies. Grounded in this data, monthly and annual reports will be published, a public campaign reaching 300k+ users will be launched, and internal anti-hate speech policies will be introduced in universities in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS), ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the project cycle.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The All for Equal Rights Foundation (ARF) and the Media Diversity Institute (MDI) announce an open call for expressions of interest to select 15 beneficiary organizations (approximately 6-8 independent media outlets and 7-9 civil society organizations).
Addressing the escalating volumes of online toxicity, coordinated targeting, and the resulting burnout among field professionals, this initiative provides selected organizations with 9 months of grant-supported, free access to the upgraded moderAItor AI tool.
Who Can Apply?
Organizations with an active online presence that are ready to integrate this AI tool into their daily operational workflows are eligible to apply.
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Priority will be given to human rights defenders and organizations working with communities disproportionately exposed to online harassment (women, LGBTQ+ individuals, displaced persons, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities).
- Independent Media Outlets: Priority will be given to regional and public-interest media, particularly members of the Media Self-Regulation Initiative or outlets committed to adhering to the Code of Ethics established by the Media Ethics Observatory.
- Geographic Coverage: At least 8 of the 15 selected organizations (and at least half of the CSOs) will be based outside Yerevan or demonstrate active operations in Armenia’s regions.
Key Capabilities Offered by moderAItor 2.0
Selected beneficiaries will receive full, grant-supported free access to the upgraded moderAItor AI ecosystem, featuring:
- Multimodal Analysis: Automated detection of toxic content not only in text, but also across images, memes, and video thumbnails.
- Coordinated Attack (Brigading) Protection: Real-time identification of orchestrated bot/user attacks with instant alerts to shield targeted pages.
- Credible Threat Escalation: Smart separation of generic insults from real-world physical threats, ensuring swift emergency responses.
- Offender Profiling & Workflow Optimization: Historical analysis of repeat offenders, automated replies, and bulk moderation capabilities.
- Multi-User Shared Workspace: Enterprise-grade multi-user infrastructure allowing distinct team members or partner organizations to co-manage digital channels.
- Integrations & Accessibility: Slack and Telegram alerts, customizable dashboards, Dark Mode, and ADA accessibility conformance (for visually and aurally impaired users).
- Editorial Policy & Technical Onboarding: Expert consultation on drafting customized “Comment Moderation Policies” alongside full technical support throughout the 9-month period.
Application Procedure & Deadline
- Deadline: August 20, 2026 (inclusive).
- How to Apply: Interested organizations can submit their application by filling out the online form here.
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This project is funded with UK International Development from the UK government and is implemented by the All for Equal Rights Foundation within the framework of the “Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood” program, carried out by the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR). The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the UK government or of IWPR.
