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Motley Fool Criticizes Apple for "Still Not Thinking Different"
by , 11:25 AM EDT, April 25th, 2006
The Motley Fool's Tim Beyers has joined the chorus of mainstream journalists criticizing Apple for its lawsuits against PowerPage, AppleInsider, and Think Secret. Mr. Beyers, the Fool who usually takes a pro-Apple position when it comes to covering AAPL, condemned Apple's stance that bloggers are not entitled to traditional press protections in a piece titled "Still Not Thinking Different."
At issue is Apple's attempt to gain access to the e-mail records of the above-mentioned Mac sites after they published stories about unreleased products -- the definition of what has come to be known in the Mac community as a "Mac rumor site."
The case is currently before the California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, where Jason O'Grady of PowerPage is appealing a ruling from a lower court that granted Apple the access it desired.
"My biggest problem with all this is the startling hypocrisy," wrote Mr. Beyers, asserting that Apple and other tech companies have used leaks in the past to garner publicity through the press. "So what this all really means is that reporters can't publish leaks that aren't first approved by the subject of the story. There's a phrase for that, Fool: spin control."
He added, "You want to engage in that, Steve [Jobs]? Fine. But first you have to stop pretending you have the moral high ground on this issue and call off the lawyers. And then you have to open your checkbook. You're going to need to do this the old fashioned way -- by hiring an army of PR consultants."
Apple has received a lot of mainstream commentary over this legal battle. Some journalists and editors have sided with Apple on the grounds that online sites large and small don't follow the same procedures as traditional media outlets like magazines and newspapers.
More, however, have taken positions in opposition to Apple on the grounds that traditional press protections should be extended to new media. The Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) is defending PowerPage and AppleInsider in the case.
Though Mr. Beyers' editorial is among the first on this subject we have seen from a media outlet that focuses on the stock market, the reality is that Apple's overriding wave of positive coverage from all forms of media has continued uninterrupted -- even from some of the same commenters criticizing the company.
Observer Comments
Tue Apr 25, 2006 11:40 am Subject: Walk a mile
I have a problem with this "journalist" not getting the fact that this information was stolen, leaked, and Jason O'Grady basically fenced the information. It wasn't sensitive government secrets or a health hazard that caused him to be a whistleblower or a conduit for one, it was a purely self-interested act of beating everybody else to the punch using stolen information. He's got the identity of the thief. He should be forced to reveal it, or pay the consequences as an accomplice!
Because we all know that all journalists are fine upstanding citizens and respectful of the law at all times.
Just ask the NY Times.
QuoteMr. Beyers wrote:
"So what this all really means is that reporters can't publish leaks that aren't first approved by the subject of the story. There's a phrase for that, Fool: spin control."
What does getting "approved" have to do with this? This means that you're free to publish what you want and Apple is free to sue who they want. You can do whatever YOU want to do. Just because someone sues you doesn't mean you can't do it.
I can write whatever I want about Tom Cruise in a newspaper. I don't need his permission. But if he sues me that's his right too. It doesn't mean I can't write it. Where is THAT idea coming from? This guy thinks that this case might accidentally repeal the 1st Amendment or something?
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