Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has strongly criticized certain Western media outlets for publishing speculative and premature reports surrounding the investigation into the Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash, which claimed over 260 lives.
Addressing media queries on Sunday, Naidu emphasized that the Indian government will wait for the final investigation report before drawing any conclusions, highlighting the importance of a responsible and fact-based approach in such sensitive matters.
He praised the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for successfully decoding the black box data domestically, a first for India. &ldquo;In the past, we had to send the black box abroad when it was damaged. But this time, AAIB achieved a significant breakthrough by decoding it entirely within India. The preliminary report is already prepared,&rdquo; Naidu said.
The minister urged global media, naming a couple of outlets, particularly in the West, to avoid publishing unverified information. &ldquo;AAIB has issued an appeal to media houses, especially those with vested interests, to refrain from speculative reporting,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;Any comments before the final report would be premature and irresponsible.&rdquo;
Backing India's stance, Jennifer Homendy, Chairperson of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), also slamed speculative articles published in prominent international media. She reiterated that investigations of this magnitude take time, and that both the NTSB and AAIB are cooperating closely.
This came after AAIB issued a public notice on July 17, expressing concern over &ldquo;selective and unverified reporting&rdquo; by certain international outlets, which allegedly tried to shift the blame prematurely on the pilots. The agency stressed the need to respect the emotions of the victims' families and warned that such reporting could compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
&ldquo;It is far too early to draw definitive conclusions,&rdquo; AAIB clarified, urging all parties to await the comprehensive final report, which will outline the root causes and safety recommendations.
The Indian government has assured that appropriate safety measures will be implemented based on the final findings to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Minister Warns Media Over AI Crash Speculation

Ram Mohan Naidu urges restraint as India awaits final Air India crash investigation report

Minister Warns Media Over AI Crash Speculation

Ram Mohan Naidu urges restraint as India awaits final Air India crash investigation report

July 20, 2025 | 19:08 IST