New Delhi: In a decisive move to counter what it deems speculative and irresponsible journalism, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has served formal legal notices to two prominent international media organizations The Wall Street Journal and Reuters over their coverage of the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash. The federation has demanded an official apology and immediate corrective actions from both outlets, accusing them of publishing unverified and potentially defamatory information while the official investigation remains ongoing.
The FIP, which represents commercial pilots across India, expressed deep concern over how certain international media platforms have portrayed the crash. The incident, which took place on June 12 and led to the deaths of 260 individuals, continues to be under investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). In its communication, the FIP emphasized that these media outlets have, without factual confirmation, speculated about the causes of the crash and unfairly attributed blame to pilots, including those who died in the incident.
Captain CS Randhawa, President of the FIP, confirmed the legal action, stating that the organization has retained legal counsel and issued a notice demanding both Reuters and WSJ to withdraw misleading content and issue public apologies. “This kind of reporting based on selective leaks and conjecture — harms not only the dignity of the deceased pilots who cannot defend themselves but also erodes public trust in aviation professionals,” Randhawa said.
In the legal notice and accompanying emails to the media outlets, the FIP criticized what it described as “irresponsible journalism.” It said, “While the crash has drawn public attention and grief, it is critical that media entities act with responsibility, especially during an active investigation.” The federation further warned that ongoing speculative reporting could stoke unnecessary public fear regarding the safety of Indian aviation.
The federation has demanded several immediate actions. These include removing speculative content from articles dated July 17, 2025, amending such pieces to include clear disclaimers, and acknowledging that no conclusive findings have yet been released by the official investigative bodies. The notice also puts the organizations on alert: failure to comply may result in the pursuit of defamation claims and legal action for reputational damage and mental anguish caused to the pilot community and the bereaved families.
This legal challenge comes on the heels of a powerful statement from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), whose chairwoman Jennifer Homendy denounced recent speculative coverage. “These reports are premature and misleading,” she stated. “The AAIB of India has only released a preliminary report. Full investigations take time, and it is inappropriate to draw conclusions before official findings are made public.”
Echoing this sentiment, Captain Randhawa praised the NTSB for its support and called for patience as investigators do their work. “We are pleased that the NTSB has taken a firm stand against speculation. This kind of support helps to push back against what has become a troubling trend in global media reporting,” he told ANI.
The FIP reiterated that while pilots are expected to perform under immense pressure, they must also be given the dignity of due process, especially in cases involving fatalities. “Public discourse must not be manipulated by premature narratives that disrespect those who can no longer speak for themselves,” the federation’s notice stated.
The controversy has reignited broader debates over media ethics, international reporting standards, and the delicate balance between public interest and investigative integrity. With the AAIB’s final report still awaited, aviation professionals, grieving families, and a nation in mourning watch closely to see whether truth and justice can prevail not only in the air, but in the public narrative that follows.