An Indigenous tribe in the Amazon is suing the New York Times, claiming a story about their internet access painted a false and damaging picture of their community.
The Marubo tribe, a remote group of around 2,000 people, alleges that a 2023 article portrayed them as unable to cope with high-speed internet after the introduction of Starlink, a satellite service from Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The report described teenagers glued to their phones, exposure to violent video games, and minors accessing pornography. It also quoted a tribal leader expressing concern over reports of more aggressive sexual behavior among young men.
According to the legal complaint, the article created the impression that the Marubo youth were overwhelmed by internet access and consumed by explicit content. Tribal leaders argue the story harmed the community’s reputation and misrepresented their culture.
TMZ and Yahoo also named in the lawsuit
The defamation lawsuit filed in the United States also names media outlets TMZ and Yahoo as defendants. It claims their coverage further distorted the original reporting.
A TMZ story, in particular, included video footage of antennas being distributed in the village and used the term “porn addiction” in its headline. Plaintiffs say the video falsely implied they were responsible for introducing harmful material and triggering social decline.
Plaintiffs say they faced harassment and threats
The named plaintiffs are Enoque Marubo, a community leader, and Flora Dutra, a Brazilian activist who helped deliver 20 Starlink antennas to the tribe.
In their statement, they said the media coverage unleashed a “global media storm” that led to harassment, humiliation, and lasting damage to their reputations and safety.
New York Times stands by its story
The New York Times responded to the lawsuit by defending its reporting. A spokesperson said the article offered a “sensitive and nuanced exploration” of the effects of modern technology on a remote Indigenous village. The newspaper added that it plans to fight the lawsuit.
The follow-up story attempted to correct the narrative
Following the backlash, the New York Times published a follow-up story titled, “No, A Remote Amazon Tribe Did Not Get Addicted to Porn.” The article noted that over 100 websites worldwide had published misleading headlines based on the original reporting.
The @nytimes posted a false story about Starlink and an Amazon Tribe becoming addicted to porn 🤦♂️ They have apologized and corrected the story, highlighting Starlink's benefits in healthcare, education, business, and communication.
My thoughts, the subject and accusations of… pic.twitter.com/mGw9AloQ13
— S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) June 12, 2024
Despite this clarification, the lawsuit argues that the Times’ initial story played a central role in shaping a harmful narrative. The complaint maintains that the article set off widespread misinterpretation, unfairly casting the Marubo as a community incapable of managing digital access.
The tribe is seeking at least $180 million in damages. Yahoo and TMZ have not publicly commented on the case.
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