Not sure being on the take is incompetence.
It's less sensational would be my real guess. When you report on this you are kinda expected to cover the nitty gritty of actual governance and safety, how to flush your water, when to flush your water, what the health concerns are. You know, boring details unless it's actually pertaining to you. Now, SHIP FILLED WITH POO! PEOPLE COVERED IN POO! FLOATING POO RAFT! Them thar's some headlines. Maybe they could take a picture of a toddler covered in water and a rescue worker gently dabbing him/her off, that might make the story.