Lost in the uproar over the unfortunate airing of the incorrect pilots names by KTVU in its coverage of the Asiana air crash is another culturally sensitive issue that’s been creeping into media coverage.
Several outlets have suggested that a cultural hierarchy in the Korean culture may have lead to the crash. Some have theorized that the Korean deference to authority may have made the pilots hesitant to speak up about the danger they had gotten themselves into before crashing.
The Asian American Journalists Association issued this statement:
An examination of the training and experience of Flight 214′s pilots are certainly justified. And so, too, is the apparent lack of communication within the cockpit. But while the role of culture is an interesting line of inquiry, it is a tricky task to pursue. Therefore, we urge care and sensitivity.
We all want to know what happened in the moments leading to the ill-fated landing. Until we know more, let’s be careful about our speculation and remain vigilant in reporting the story fairly and accurately.
From @Julian88tex via Twitter: RE: Culture and a plane crash: hmm not sure that flying a plane and knowing technology are hand-in-hand