An indigenous tribe in the Amazon, known as the Marubo, has launched a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times (NYT), asserting that a recent article vilified their community by associating them with porn addiction. The lawsuit arises from a report detailing the tribe's recent engagement with high-speed internet services, which, according to the plaintiffs, improperly depicted members as struggling to cope with the internet's impact.
The Marubo claim that the NYT's article inaccurately suggested their youth were becoming overwhelmed by pornography, thereby sparking a "global media storm" that has led to public ridicule. The lawsuit also names TMZ and Yahoo for perpetuating the narrative, alleging that their coverage mocked the tribe’s customs and misrepresented their experiences.
In the contentious article published nine months after the Marubo gained access to Starlink, a satellite internet service initiated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, the NYT described the community as facing challenges common to American households, including "teenagers glued to phones" and issues pertaining to online content. Concerns cited included observations from a community leader, who pointed out a rise in aggressive behavior among young men.
Though the NYT did mention the potential benefits of internet access—such as improved communication and health emergency reporting—the tribe contends that the portrayal was largely negative. The Marubo is requesting $180 million in damages, emphasizing the emotional toll and reputational harm caused by the sensationalized coverage.
After the initial backlash, the NYT published a follow-up clarifying that the tribe had not actually become addicted to pornography, noting over a hundred media outlets shared misleading headlines. However, the lawsuit emphasizes that the original portrayal painted the Marubo people as incapable of responsibly engaging with technology.
Community leader Enoque Marubo and Brazilian activist Flora Dutra, both involved in the installation of Starlink antennas in their community, expressed their dismay, stating that the coverage has led to humiliation and threats against them. The NYT has defended their article, stating it provided a balanced view of the complexities that come with introducing new technology to a historically rich indigenous group, and they intend to contest the lawsuit vigorously.
