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Trust-Based Media Flows for the Fediverse

Research & Development Focus

This project places research and development at its core, exploring how trust-based moderation and content flows can function as a viable alternative to traditional, centralised control systems.

Current models rely on top-down moderation, where authority is both concentrated and enforced. In contrast, this project investigates how trust networks - built through relationships, transparency, and shared practice - can enable moderation through bottom-up, community-driven flows.

This work leverages the established commons-based infrastructure of the Fediverse, built on ActivityPub, and extends it toward more coherent, flow-based news and media pathways.

Note: We frequently use the term “moderation.” While this relates to moderation tools available on Fediverse platforms (Mastodon, PeerTube, etc.), here it primarily refers to the flows of data moving between instances.

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What is Being Built

This project will deliver a working proof-of-concept codebase that implements trust-based content and moderation flows across existing Fediverse platforms. Rather than building yet another new platform, we are developing a standards-based “flow layer” that interoperates with existing implementations.

Initially, we will focus on establishing compatibility with:

• Mastodon
• PeerTube
• Lemmy (or another federated forum implementation)

The key innovation is the development of managed content flows between codebases, implemented as working software:

• A middleware/service layer facilitating content movement, based on levels of trust between federated instances
• A trust-based moderation model, where visibility and propagation emerge from these relationships
• A reference implementation demonstrating these flows in practice

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Why This Does Not Already Exist

Attempts to moderate content across the Fediverse are often hierarchical and per-instance, with each instance acting as its own “kingdom.” Many approaches mimic commercial social media, replicating familiar moderation patterns while overlooking systemic flaws.

Generations raised to think hierarchically - combined with programmers’ preference for control and predictable systems - have steered solutions away from more organic, communal approaches. As communities grow, top-down moderation becomes increasingly burdensome: moderators may experience trauma from exposure to harmful content, while also risking unintentional censorship. This highlights the need for trust-based, horizontal moderation flows that can scale without replicating the failures of commercial platforms.

While the Fediverse enables federation, it currently lacks:

• Coherent cross-platform content flows
• Trust-based propagation mechanisms beyond chronological or algorithmic feeds
• A shared commons model for native news distribution

This project addresses these gaps by connecting existing systems into a functional news/media ecology, rather than creating new silos.

Note: “Cross-platform” here refers specifically to different Fediverse platforms (e.g. Mastodon, PeerTube).

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R&D Hypothesis

The central research question is:

Can trust-based moderation and distribution flows replace algorithmic amplification in a federated news ecosystem?

This will be explored through:

• Designing and implementing trust-driven flow logic
• Testing propagation across trusted vs. untrusted nodes
• Evaluating usability, resilience, and moderation outcomes

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Mapping the Current Landscape

A core R&D task is to document and analyse existing Fediverse tools and flows, including:

• PeerTube (video distribution and moderation flows)
• Lemmy and similar forum systems (aggregation and ranking)
• Mastodon (real-time social flows)

This work will:

• Identify gaps between current implementations and the needs of trustworthy, native news production
• Compare flow-based models with legacy broadcast and platform approaches

The result will be a shared knowledge base of what works, what fails, and what can be recombined.

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Trust-Based Flow Architecture

The technical foundation is a flow-based design:

• Content moves through networks based on trust relationships, not algorithmic amplification
• Moderation emerges from contextual trust, not universal rules
• Flows slow or stop where trust is weak (#KISS principle)

This produces systems that are:

• Resilient – no single point of failure
• Trustworthy – grounded in human relationships
• Sustainable – socially maintainable over time

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Advancing Horizontal Development

The project develops and documents best practices in commons-based development, including:

• Open processes (#4opens)
• Transparent decision-making
• Lightweight, non-bureaucratic governance

Outputs include:

• Reusable design patterns for trust-based systems
• Documentation of successes and failures
• Feedback into the wider Fediverse ecosystem

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Concrete Deliverables & Milestones

Month 3

• Technical specification of the flow architecture
• Prototype flow service (routing between two instances)
• Documentation of existing Fediverse flow patterns
• Early integration with one platform

Month 6

• Cross-platform prototype connecting at least two systems (e.g. Mastodon and PeerTube)
• Demonstration of trust-based moderation flows
• Public code repository and documentation
• User-facing prototype: #makinghistory test environment

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Infrastructure Strategy

A hybrid infrastructure model combines:

1. Horizontal Scaling (Grassroots)

• Many small, low-cost, community-run instances
• Built-in redundancy for text and media
• Distributed resilience

2. Institutional Anchoring

Larger instances hosted by:

• Universities
• Libraries
• Public service organisations
• European institutions

This ensures:

• Stability without centralisation
• Public-interest support for core infrastructure
• Independence at the network edges

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Sustainability Model

Sustainability is approached as a social and infrastructural challenge:

• Core infrastructure supported by institutional hosting
• Network resilience through distribution and redundancy
• Development sustained through commons collaboration, not extractive funding

This aligns with public-interest values and avoids dependence on advertising or venture capital.

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European Dimension & NGI Alignment

The project directly supports European priorities:

• Digital sovereignty through decentralised infrastructure
• Development of public-service media alternatives
• Alignment with openness, interoperability, and democratic participation

It aligns strongly with Next Generation Internet goals:

• Human-centric internet development
• Open, interoperable technologies
• Trust and resilience as core principles

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Accessibility Commitment

All outputs will follow WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, including:

• Semantic HTML and screen reader compatibility
• Full keyboard navigation
• Dual-layer UX (simple and advanced modes)

Accessibility is treated as a core design requirement.

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Work Packages

WP1: Research & Specification

• Architecture and system mapping
• Output: technical design documentation

WP2: Core Development

• Flow service and ActivityPub integration
• Output: working prototype codebase

WP3: UX & Prototype

• #makinghistory interface
• Output: testable user prototype

WP4: Testing & Documentation

• Community testing and iteration
• Output: public documentation and reports

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Sustainability Beyond the Grant

The long-term model combines:

• Grassroots distributed hosting
• Institutional support for core nodes and codeing updates.

Discussions with institutional partners are underway, with the goal of securing formal support.

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Summary

This project moves beyond #openweb theory to deliver:

• A working prototype of trust-based Fediverse flows
• A clear R&D investigation into alternatives to algorithmic media
• A practical, user-facing demonstration
• Reusable knowledge and tools for the wider ecosystem

The first-stage grant focuses on proof of concept and validation, followed by a bigger second-stage proposal to deliver a fully production-ready system.

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