Have to agree with Alemaobaiano regarding Joe Sharkey's contribution. His commentary from the coalface was very informative, moreso than any other source could have been, but in reflecting only the views of the sole survivors of that accident, he contributed substantially to the early polarization.
Mr Sharkey's a journalist and he had an incomparable scoop on his hands. A very difficult situation and, in hindsight, suggesting he might have been more diplomatic, or reserved in judgment, sounds naive. But I wish he had been so and that he had responded less energetically or, better, not at all, to what the Brazilian media were spinning out of silly, ass-covering statements by the then minister of defence and others.
As for the "defamation of national honour" suit brought against him, ah well; the imagination of ambulance-chasing lawers knows no limits, nor, for that matter, national boundaries.