Food for Thought

Passengers on Jet Blue were able to watch speculation on their fate as they circled LA for 3 hours before attempting an emergency landing.

I struggle with weather or not this is an issue. Could speculation by reporters without all the information incite panic on the plane in a situation that would otherwise be under control? Were reporters aware that their broadcasts could be seen by passengers, and if not, would it have changed what they said? How much was this taken into consideration when deciding what information to release to the press?