It’s the report, not the reporting

In his statement on AI 171’s crash, civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu told Rajya Sabha that AAIB was conducting an unbiased, transparent inquiry. He was critical of various narratives in media, especially by foreign news outlets. The problem is, AAIB’s report itself opened the door to such speculative reportage on pilot action.

The report is expected to only place facts as discovered, and not pass judgment on cause, nor make recommendations. However, AAIB did just that. The report presents facts selectively, makes veiled suggestions, and points to pilot action. AAIB did nothing to prevent media leaks, even of pilot remarks not given in its report. It has also not held a single press briefing that could have demonstrated transparency, quashed rumours and reassured stakeholders and the public.

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