Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas and Mente World Launch ScrollCheck, a New Comedy Series Bringing Media Literacy to Latino Communities
The pilot program combines original comedy videos and live performances in Phoenix and Houston to help audiences recognize manipulation online
Washington, D.C., July 28, 2026 - The Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) and Mente World today announce a new partnership to launch ScrollCheck, an innovative pilot program that uses comedy to strengthen media literacy among Latino audiences in the United States.
At a time when misinformation, AI-generated media, and manipulated content are exacerbating already high levels of distrust and uncertainty among Latinos online, ScrollCheck aims to give audiences agency over their online experiences where they already spend time, scrolling through social media and messaging apps. By combining humor with prebunking and practical digital literacy skills, ScrollCheck will support communities in recognizing common manipulation tactics and developing habits for evaluating the content they encounter every day.
The pilot will feature three original short-form comedy videos released online, alongside two live stand-up comedy events. The first live show will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, in August, followed by a second event in Houston, Texas, in September. ScrollCheck will featuring Latino influencer, comedian, and filmmaker Luis Galilei alongside local comedic talent from California, Arizona, and Texas.
"People don't become more resilient to misinformation because someone tells them to be," said Roberta Braga, Founder and Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas. "They become more resilient when they’re given the tools and strategies to recognize the techniques being used to manipulate them. Comedy creates shared experiences and gives us an opportunity to talk about difficult issues in a way that is joyful, memorable, and empowering."
"Mente World was created as a community brand that delivers positive content to Latino communities that both engages and entertains," said Victor Arias of Mente World. "We're excited to partner with DDIA to explore how comedy can spark conversations about media literacy without sacrificing entertainment. If audiences laugh and leave with a few new tools for navigating today's information environment, we've succeeded."
The partnership builds on growing evidence, including DDIA’s own research, showing that counter-misinformation interventions are most effective when they are culturally competent, emotionally engaging, and delivered by local voices and trusted messengers. Through ScrollCheck, DDIA and Mente World will test how comedy can help audiences identify common manipulation tactics and narratives, including emotional manipulation, scapegoating, and misleading visual content, as well as election fraud claims and anti-immigrant misinformation.
The pilot reflects DDIA’s commitment to developing new approaches for strengthening information resilience in Latino communities and expanding the toolkit available to educators, creators, and civil society organizations. Additional information about the video releases and live performances will be announced in the coming weeks.
About the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas
The Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) – operated by and for Latinos and Latin Americans – is a hub for research and interventions geared at strengthening trust and connection between communities, media, and democracy. In an era of tech solutions to tech problems, we center the human experience in research, capacity-building and policy solutions that contribute to healthy information ecosystems necessary for vibrant digital democracies.
About Mente World
Mente World is a creative media organization dedicated to producing culturally relevant storytelling that informs, entertains, and strengthens Latino communities. Through original content, live experiences, and community engagement, Mente World explores new ways of connecting audiences with ideas that matter. Their content and community can be found @mente.world across social channels.
For more information, contact: [email protected].