Why We Won't Write About the Jobs Rumor

[Vincent Ferrari]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1230731845.usr18053.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Seeing as Apple Thoughts is relatively new to the scene, I felt it important to clarify why you didn't see us parroting the Steve Jobs rumor from yesterday (contrary to the insane speed with which it spread around the web).</p><p>We generally won't report on rumors (and if we do, we always make it super clear that we're not taking a position on them either way) unless they come from a super reliable source (preferrably multiple reliable sources).&nbsp; When I worked for the Apple Phone Show as a Producer and Writer, we were under strict orders to never post a single solitary rumor unless we knew the source and could take heat if it turned out to be untrue.&nbsp; I've let that stick with me to the point where I believe that's the direction I want to take Apple Thoughts in as well.</p><p>Ultimately, editorial discretion falls at my feet.&nbsp; For too long, I've watched many Apple-related sites report outrageous and ridiculous rumors as long as they could say they got it from someone or somewhere else.&nbsp; To me, that's as bad as starting a rumor yourself and you're not shielding yourself by not being the source.&nbsp; The Apple blogosphere and news sites live and die by rumors and innuendo, but we won't.&nbsp; I hold myself and my Editors to a higher standard.&nbsp; That may mean we miss a few things or when the broken clock is right for the second time in a day and one of the rumor sites hits one on the nose we'll be second to report it, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to maintain our integrity and keep the trust of our readership.</p><p>I'd like to hear your thoughts on this as well, so don't hesitate to leave them in the comments.&nbsp; I do hope you understand where I'm coming from here, and thank you so much for making this site the quick success it has already become.&nbsp; 2009 is going to be a big year for us and I want each and every one of you to be a part of it.</p>

[doogald]

Good choice. As I posted elsewhere, I haven't even looked at Gizmodo since that silly Cisco iPhone debacle a few years ago. Maybe this is true, but for now I'm from Missouri.

[Joe Johaneman]

It's a direction I feel comfortable with. There are plenty of sites spreading the rumors. I prefer working under a higher standard than that.

[crimsonsky]

Thank you! I firmly support this stance. I am so sick and tired of all the rumour reporting. I can't stand it. This is one of the reasons that Apple Thoughts is my favourite Apple information/news sites. You guys have your heads on straight!

[Macguy59]

The best way to go Vincent although this is a "Thoughts" site.

[Janak Parekh]

The best way to go Vincent although this is a "Thoughts" site. Yeah, but "Thoughts" aren't the same thing as "Rumors". :)

I agree 100% with Vincent's strategy. I pretty much skip through rumors on other sites at this point, they've gotten rather dull and aren't right most of the time.

--janak

[Spooof]

I think that it is okay to talk about rumors when you are pointing out how stupid they are :)

[doogald]

Well, I guess now you can post about it, since Apple acknowledged health problems, denied that they are terminal, and asserted that Steve Jobs will continue as CEO.

[Tim Williamson]

I like your strategy.

I know which sites to go to for rumors. And I know which sites to go to for facts. It all depends what I'm looking for at the time.

:)