New York Times Faces Backlash Over Plane Hijacking Headline
The New York Times editors have responded to a wave of criticism regarding their headline that seemed to downplay a recent incident involving an attempted hijacking of a plane en route to Israel. While many people on social media were commending the quick actions of the crew and passengers who intervened during the alleged terror attack, the Times appeared to minimize the severity of the event.
“Breaking news: A plane flying from Dubai to Israel was diverted after an altercation between the pilot and co-pilot,” the Times tweeted, which sparked outrage. Critics quickly pointed out that this was not just a minor disagreement but something far more serious.
A community note, which provided important context, pointed out that the incident involved the co-pilot stabbing the captain in an attempt to take control of the aircraft while it was carrying many Israeli citizens, including children. Passengers reportedly had to step in and subdue the attacker after the plane dropped 15,000 feet.
People reacted strongly on social media. News anchor Stella Escobedo criticized the coverage, stating, “The New York Times is just laughable… An attempted terrorist attack on a flight from Dubai to Israel, and they call it a ‘clash’?” She added that it was not an example of real journalism.
Entrepreneur Phil Bak echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that terms like “altercation” fail to capture the gravity of what was really an attempted terrorist hijacking. Others also expressed frustration, suggesting that the Times often downplays incidents involving Israelis while exaggerating similar events concerning Palestinians.
New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov expressed her disbelief: “Just a little scuffle between two guys, ya know? Nothing to see here. Shame on you, @nytimes!” Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz questioned the paper’s motives, asking why they seemed to act as “propagandists for terrorists.”
After several hours of online contention, the Times issued a statement asserting their commitment to factual reporting: “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.”
In a separate statement, Flydubai described the situation similarly, referring to it as an “altercation … in the flight deck.” Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the passengers from the flight, praising them as heroes for their bravery in bringing the alleged attacker under control.
