The Marubo tribe alleges that a New York Times report led to false narratives about their community, resulting in widespread mockery and defamation.
Amazon Tribe Files $180 Million Defamation Suit Against New York Times
Amazon Tribe Files $180 Million Defamation Suit Against New York Times
An Indigenous tribe in the Amazon claims a NYT article portrayed them unfavorably, leading to harmful labels.
An Indigenous tribe from the Amazon rainforest has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times (NYT), asserting that a recent article regarding their access to high-speed internet portrayed them in a highly negative light. The Marubo tribe, consisting of approximately 2,000 members, accuses the newspaper of labeling them as "porn addicts" after a report claimed their young people were struggling with internet exposure.
The lawsuit, which seeks at least $180 million in damages, criticizes the NYT for depicting the Marubo as "unable to handle basic exposure to the internet." The article highlighted concerns that their youth were becoming "consumed by pornography," according to the plaintiffs. In addition to the NYT, the lawsuit includes news outlets TMZ and Yahoo as defendants, alleging that they perpetuated and exaggerated the damaging narrative.
The lawsuit argues that the NYT's piece, published about nine months after the tribe gained access to Starlink—a satellite internet service from Elon Musk’s SpaceX—claimed that the Marubo were facing challenges similar to those seen in American households, like "teenagers glued to phones" and "violent video games." It also referenced local concerns over increased sexual behavior among young men influenced by online content.
Despite the claims made in the original article, the NYT has stated that it did not assert that any tribe member was addicted to pornography. Following the backlash, the NYT published a follow-up article clarifying the situation, stating that "no remote Amazon tribe did become addicted to porn." The follow-up highlighted that "more than 100 websites around the world" had published headlines that wrongly claimed the Marubo had become addicted.
Members of the tribe, including community leader Enoque Marubo and Brazilian activist Flora Dutra—who played a key role in distributing Starlink antennas to the tribe—argued that the NYT’s narrative sparked a "global media storm" leading to harsh criticism, humiliation, and reputational harm.
A spokesperson for the New York Times expressed confidence in their report, asserting it presented a "sensitive and nuanced exploration" of the impacts of new technology within the Marubo's rich cultural context. They plan to mount a vigorous defense against the lawsuit.
As the case unfolds, it reveals the complex interplay between modern technology and traditional lifestyles, highlighting significant cultural implications for Indigenous communities.
