The New York Times defended its wording after criticism that calling the FlyDubai Flight 1073 incident an "altercation" downplayed a reported hijacking attempt. Reports say the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the plane, prompting a diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where passengers—mostly Israeli nationals—were later flown to Tel Aviv. The Times said it publishes only verified facts and linked to live updates as the investigation continued.
NYT Defends Language After Backlash Over FlyDubai Flight 1073 Coverage
AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File
The New York Times pushed back after critics accused the paper of downplaying an apparent hijacking aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073 by originally describing the incident as an "altercation." The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after reports that a co-pilot stabbed the pilot and tried to cause the aircraft to crash. Most of the 160–180 passengers aboard were reported to be Israeli nationals.
What Happened On The Flight
According to multiple reports, the Israel-bound flight was diverted to Tabuk in northwest Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane. Officials said a replacement aircraft later transported passengers from Tabuk to Tel Aviv. Authorities have not publicly revealed the identity of the suspected aggressor, and investigations remain ongoing.
New York Times Coverage And Response
The Times' initial live post read:
"Breaking news: A plane flying from Dubai to Israel was diverted after an altercation between the pilot and co-pilot, Israeli officials said."
That choice of wording prompted sharp criticism on social media from users who said "altercation" minimized the severity of the reported events. In response on X, the newspaper defended its reporting approach:
"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."The Times also linked readers to its live updates as the situation developed.
Reactions And Details
Critics accused the paper of applying a double standard in its language. Legal commentator Mehek Cooke, who has appeared on national television, wrote that describing an alleged stabbing and attempted crash as an "altercation" amounted to sanitizing suspected terrorism. Other commenters said the paper treats incidents involving Israelis and Palestinians differently.
The Times reported that three officials speaking on condition of anonymity identified the person believed to have carried out the aggression as a citizen of Oman; the Omani Foreign Ministry declined to comment immediately. FlyDubai initially said that an "altercation broke out" and that crew members on duty secured the aircraft.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities in multiple countries are investigating the episode. With facts still being corroborated and official details limited, the exchange highlights how media wording can become a focus of public debate during rapidly evolving, violent incidents.
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