It's true that every little thing is now reported breathlessly because it fits the current preconceived storyline. But one of two things will happen. Either the stories will fade away of their own accord, per SEA_Tigger, or AS will be permanently characterized as "troubled" and "unreliable," which would be a brand disaster. If the hits keep coming from Menzies the second scenario is far more likely.

I agree that the cost savings associated with the Menzies move have probably been more than erased by the effect of bad PR.