Starlink in the Amazon: The Marubo Tribe Fights for Their Narrative

02/06/2025 16 min

Listen "Starlink in the Amazon: The Marubo Tribe Fights for Their Narrative"

Episode Synopsis

Starlink brought unprecedented high-speed internet to the isolated Marubo tribe in the Amazon rainforest. Initially hailed for improving communication and saving lives in emergencies, it quickly introduced social challenges like addiction and exposure to new behaviors. When media reports sensationalized concerns about pornography, portraying the tribe as "addicted", tribal leaders vehemently denied the claims as false and biased. This sparked controversy and led to a major lawsuit against media outlets like The New York Times and TMZ, raising complex questions about cultural impact, media ethics, and indigenous autonomy in the digital age.