Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The New York Times has faced massive backlash over its initial description of the cockpit stabbing attack aboard the flydubai Tel Aviv-bound flight as an “altercation” between the pilot and co-pilot, with the newspaper later defending its coverage by saying it would publish only information it could verify.
Amid the backlash, the Times defended its reporting in a post on X, saying its headlines and live coverage reflected the facts it had been able to confirm at the time.
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“Our headlines and live coverage contain all the facts we’re able to confirm as we confirm them. Unlike activists and partisans, we don’t publish speculation or unverified information,” it said in a post on X on Wednesday night.
The controversy erupted after the Times reported that flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday and carrying 174 people, had been diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia following a confrontation between the two pilots.
In its initial report, the Times, citing three officials speaking on the condition of anonymity, said “the pilot who they believed had carried out the aggression was a citizen of Oman.”
“The Omani Foreign Ministry declined to immediately comment,” it added.
The Times also noted that a spokesperson for FlyDubai initially said “only that an altercation broke out and that crew members who were on duty secured the aircraft.”
The wording, however, drew sharp criticism online as details emerged that the co-pilot had stabbed the Indian Captain and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls.
Critics argued that describing the episode as an “altercation” understated the seriousness of what was being reported.
“Anything that happens to Israelis, the NYT downplays. Anything that happens to Palestinians they exaggerate and then issue a correction,” Israeli-American student activist Eyal Yakoby posted on X.
The Times responded directly to Yakoby’s tweet with its gift link message.
Meanwhile, Indian-origin Republican lawyer and consultant Mehek Cooke accused the newspaper of applying a double standard when reporting incidents involving Israelis.
“The double standard for Israel has never been more blatant. A pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash a plane full of Israelis. The New York Times: an ‘altercation.’ Amazing how quickly suspected terrorism gets sanitized when Israelis are the target,” she tweeted.
The clarification, however, failed to stem the backlash, as criticism of the New York Times continued to pour in online.
“The fact that you have to issue a statement every single day shows what an embarrassment you are,” a social media user posted on X.
Another said, “Community notes are not activists or partisans, we make corrections using valid sources. Why dont you make it clear it is early information and that you may not have the full story yet.”
While one questioned, “Aren’t you embarrassed by your anti-Israeli racism?”, another X user said, “In 2023, the New York Times credulously reported that a hospital had been hit by Israel because Hamas said so without bothering to confirm it. The hospital had actually been hit by a rocket from a group called, I kid you not, Islamic Jihad.”
HERO INDIAN PILOT
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been praised as a hero for his actions during the cockpit attack. Despite being stabbed by his co-pilot, he fought back despite being seriously injured, opened the cockpit door and managed to alert passengers and crew, allowing them to intervene.
His actions helped prevent the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight from crashing and the aircraft subsequently landed in Tabuk by off-duty pilots who were travelling among the passengers.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar as a “hero”, saying he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others despite being seriously injured.
PM Modi said his valour helped save lives and avert a great tragedy, and wished him a speedy recovery.
On his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saluted Machchhar for his “extraordinary bravery”.
Netanyahu said the captain continued to fight back despite his injuries and helped enable passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
US President Donald Trump too described Machchhar as a “hero”, recounting details of the incident that he said were shared with him by Netanyahu.
He said Machchhar was in very serious condition following the attack but managed to open the cockpit door and call for help.
“It seems as though the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job, and he stabbed the pilot,” Trump added.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
