An Amazonian tribe has sued The New York Times (NYT), claiming a story about their access to high-speed internet led to false claims that tribe members were addicted to pornography.
The Marubo tribe, a remote Indigenous group of about 2,000 people, says the article portrayed them as “unable to handle basic exposure to the internet.”
The lawsuit says the report highlighted “allegations that their youth had become consumed by pornography.”
TMZ and Yahoo are also named in the lawsuit. The Marubo claim their coverage “mocked their youth” and “misrepresented their traditions.”
The NYT denies saying any tribe members were addicted to porn. TMZ and Yahoo have not yet responded.
The NYT article was published nine months after the Marubo began using Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service.
It said the tribe was “already grappling with the same challenges that have racked American households for years.”
The story referenced “teenagers glued to phones,” “violent video games,” and “minors watching pornography.”
A community leader, who opposed the internet, was quoted as being “most unsettled by the pornography.”
He said he had heard of “more aggressive sexual behaviour” among young men.
The article also mentioned benefits of internet access, such as reporting health concerns, environmental threats, and keeping in touch with family.
The lawsuit says other media exaggerated the original report. TMZ’s headline about porn addiction is cited as an example.
The Marubo say this coverage triggered “a global media storm.”
A week later, the NYT published a follow-up titled: “No, A Remote Amazon Tribe Did Not Get Addicted to Porn.”
That story noted “more than 100 websites around the world” falsely claimed the tribe had developed a porn addiction.
Still, the lawsuit argues the original article suggested the tribe couldn’t handle internet access and harmed their reputation.
Enoque Marubo, a tribal leader, and Flora Dutra, a Brazilian activist who helped bring Starlink to the tribe, are the named plaintiffs.
They say the reports caused “humiliation, harassment and irreparable harm” to their reputations and safety.
They also claim TMZ’s video of them distributing antennas gave the “unmistakable impression” they introduced harmful, explicit material to the community.
A NYT spokesperson said: “Any fair reading of this piece shows a sensitive and nuanced exploration of the benefits and complications of new technology in a remote Indigenous village with a proud history and preserved culture.”
“We intend to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.”
(BBC)
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