Since the Air India crash in June, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has allegedly imposed unofficial restrictions on journalists, including those with official Press Information Bureau accreditation.

The ministry complex, which houses Rajiv Bhavan, Udaan Bhawan, and the Airports Authority of India, has allegedly barred press entry since June 16. Half a dozen journalists covering the civil aviation beat claimed there is a quiet clampdown on routes and access long considered routine.

Journalists covering central ministries typically rely on two entry channels: a gate pass arranged by ministry officials, or access via a PIB card, which allows reporters to enter without prior approval. But in the civil aviation ministry, even PIB-accredited journalists are now being turned away from premises.

Some also alleged that an “unofficial” gag order had been imposed on ministry officials, instructing them not to speak with the press following the Air India incident. This at a time when there are several questions linked to accountability and when sections of the international media have propagated versions ostensibly blaming Indian crew.

However, officials at the Ministry of Civil Aviation have denied the existence of any such restrictions, stating they are “unaware” of any directives limiting journalist access.

‘No communication’

On June 12, Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing all 260 people on board. The tragedy sparked a nationwide debate – not only on India’s aviation safety standards but also on the reliability of aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s own safety protocols.

Just two days later, on June 14, Saturday, the civil aviation minister addressed the media in what was his first and only press conference on the crash. “It was a press conference for all. So, at least 50 journalists attended it,” said a PIB-accredited journalist with over a decade of experience covering government ministries. “After that press conference, from June 16, Monday, the prohibition on journalists started,” the journalist claimed.

Another journalist said, “Nobody wants to be seen with you. I was speaking to one of the directors, he was like, ‘Look, I cannot call you to the office on my name. If you are coming to meet someone else, you go and meet them. I cannot provide my access. After that, if we bump into each other somewhere, that’s fine. But I cannot meet officially.’”

“Usually, non-PIB journalists face problems in accessing the ministry. But they are also not allowing the PIB journalists, making it very difficult to do our job,” the journalist added.

For reporters newly assigned to cover the ministry, the challenges are even steeper. “It is very difficult to even introduce oneself,” one such journalist said. “Senior officials are scared as they have been asked not to interact with journalists. Officials are not even answering calls or responding. PIB guys are saying, ‘Mail kar do and queries will be forwarded ahead.’ How can you cut access like this?”

Another journalist described the situation in even starker terms: “You will not be able to enter. Try sending an email hoping to get a clearance – you will not get that clearance. You seek a meeting with anyone – DGCA, Secretary MoCA – you will not get anyone. Even if you somehow manage entry through someone, nobody would speak.”

The journalists also pointed to silence from the ministry after the lone press conference on June 14. “Even in that press conference, no questions were allowed. Since then, the minister has not briefed the media about any updates or developments. He is seen to be interacting with the media only when he is outside Delhi,” one journalist observed.

A senior journalist with a national newspaper said there were concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the crash and its investigation.

“Apart from the press conference just after the crash, there was no information exchange until the preliminary report came out. There are so many questions that people want answers to – like how the black box was recovered, why there was a delay in uploading the data, what the investigation team is going to be… There is a lot of unavailability of information, which has led to a lot of criticism.”

‘Blocking information not helping govt’

Journalists covering the civil aviation ministry claimed that the current restrictions on media access are ultimately counterproductive. While some blamed international outlets for pushing unverified “theories,” they insisted that restricting Indian media access has only made matters worse for the government.

“Because of this blocking of access to journalists, Western media has successfully been able to build a narrative to save Boeing. Because you’re not holding a conversation, Western media is playing it around as they want,” said the journalist quoted earlier. “Restricting Indian media is not helping them. Everyone stopped speaking to us and responding to us. But the US agencies involved in the investigation started leaking information to their correspondents.”

Meanwhile, “on our side, we still have officials who are not responding to our calls, messages, and queries”, claimed another journalist.

A journalist from a national daily claimed there had been some restrictions in the past but the current situation is unprecedented. “Earlier we were told that this ban is only for a week or so as a lot of people were coming to the ministry. But it is still continuing.”

Another senior journalist claimed such restrictions were earlier usually resolved through backchannel discussions. “Earlier, even if there were some banning or restrictions on individual journalists, it used to be resolved after speaking to senior officials or someone in the minister's office. But now nothing is happening.”

Newslaundry reached out to Divanshu Kumar, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Civil Aviation at PIB, as well as Deputy Director General (Media) PK Thakur for comments. Thakur said he is not “aware” of any restrictions placed on journalists.

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