Heh. That’s what prompted my comment in the first place. I’m a science writer by trade; I have a strong background in the fields that I cover and I care about getting the facts straight. I could tell you horror stories about what my editors have done …

I have been racking my brains in trying to figure out why the LAT is suddenly printing these soft soap renditions of North Korea. The only rational I can think of is that instead of just reporting the news the Times is trying to influence the news makers into resuming the one on one negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea.

North Korea is such a miserable government that they can’t quite come out and portray them in a positive light but they seem to be trying to portray the country as willing to negotiate. Of course North Korea wants to end the multi party talks so they can pin the failure soley on the US and President Bush is not that stupid.They can say anything they want to the US rep at these talks and the only reason they want the other countries out of the talks is so they can manipulate the idiot elites at the bi-coastal editorial boards at the twin Times. The Albright method was a proven failure but the schmucks at the Times want Bush to try it all over again. Thats the same as someone buying stock in a new oil company started by Ken Lay.

As others have mentioned neither the MSM nor bloggers are “protected” when it comes to their sources if it can be shown that the sources were engaged in an illegal activity.

Possible? This seems like the most likely explanation to me. Journalists are sometimes utterly appalled by their editorís decisions. They can barely recognize their own work.

The comment function on your previous post (Et Tu, Apple) isn’t working. I had a semi-serious comment, but more importantly, I wanted to twit you about confusing “rein” and “reign”.”

Me too, so here it is:

ìPerhaps I have this one wrong.î

Nobodyís perfect. You do indeed have this one wrong. Apple has every moral and legal right to protect its proprietary information. These individuals appear to be nothing less than criminals. They should not be allowed to hide behind the First Amendment.

When I read the piece, I got the feeling that a couple of explanatory paragraphs were missing — removed rather than never put in. In particular, I doubt that the headline was hers. So where did that “Without the Rancor” business come from?

Did she mention the kite flying?

Oddly, though I am signed in, I can not add a comment to the Apple post–the fields are simply not there in the comments. So I am putting it here.

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Indeed, this is an NDA issue. Apple takes their non-disclosure agreements very seriously. It is one of the things that Steve Jobs tightened up when he returned to the company. All Apple employees are aware of the perils of violating this condition of employment.

Apple-geeks like me thrive on those rumor sites. Alas, in the last couple of years, reliable speculation and insider info has been limited.

I see all sides.

Apple users are excited to hear the info before the public releases. The company needs to protect its roadmap and other proprietary info. And while I understand the need/desire for reporters’ sources to be kept confidential, at the same time, I think we would all be better off if sources were transparent [there would be less back-stabbing and more straight shooting]. The on-line publishers are in an undefined area right now [and I hope they/we stay free of any regulation or restrictions--it is a libertarian dream come true].

At the same time, having been a business owner and founder of more than one company, as well as having developed intellectual property of my own, we are all better off when people honor these NDA agreements. Stable rule-sets, intellectual property laws, integrity, and civil justice structures to enforce them. This is one of the underpinnings of prosperity as America knows it.

I think Apple is completely right in this. And I hope whoever violated the NDA will be found and fired.