Channel 4’s Unreported World journeys deep into the Amazon rainforest this Friday, examining a technological revolution with potentially profound consequences for isolated tribes. Reporter Guillermo Galdos investigates the impact of Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite internet service that’s bringing connectivity to some of the most remote corners of the globe.
In the Javari Valley reserve, home to the largest concentration of uncontacted tribes in the world, the arrival of Starlink has been met with mixed reactions. While some Marubo leaders see the internet as a valuable tool for education and communication with the outside world, others worry about the erosion of their culture. In the village of São Sebastião, the consequences of connectivity are already apparent. Within just 18 months of Starlink’s arrival, most of the village’s teenagers have left, drawn by the allure of urban life.
The episode also explores how Indigenous communities are using Starlink to protect the Amazon’s precious resources from illegal activities, while acknowledging that criminals themselves are also exploiting the technology. Unreported World raises important questions about the ethics of bringing the internet to vulnerable communities. Is Starlink a lifeline or a disruptor? Tune in to Channel 4 on Friday, April 4, at 7:30 PM to explore this complicated issue.
