[dxm]

Gosh. If I could laugh I would have been doubled over. Does the author really think that Apple put this much thought into not letting certain journalists into new coverage. This is pretty much a thought of a conspiracy theorist, Apple surely doesn't think about communist conspiracies from the 1940s, they merely think you're either a bad journalist or one who is consistently unfair. The detail in which the linked article puts forth is ridiculous. It's over-analysis at it's most laughable.

[dmethvin]

If you know anything about big companies and PR, you would know that much of what he says is true. They do indeed monitor what various media outlets say and create an "enemies list" that will be starved.

Even big and influential media may not escape. Apple doesn't need to cooperate with the normal reporters on the New York Times who ask hard questions about conditions in Chinese factories, they just need to court David Pogue.

[walshemj]

Companies do maintain black lists in the same way that Hollywood did in response to McCarthy and there is a small industry of "research" to did out info on peoples political and other activities eg raising H&S issues

The construction industry has been doing this for decades in the UK and I bet companies like walmart do it in the USA as well.

If you dont see the problem you need to read up on the industrial history of the USA

[jrochkind1]

I absolutely assume any company even close to as big as Apple spends 'that much thought' on managing their PR, absolutely. I'd be shocked if they did not.

That doesn't neccesarily mean they maintain a blacklist or whatever. But 'that much thought'? Certainly. Of course they do. It's bizarre to suggest that they don't spend 'that much thought' on PR.

[bnegreve]

> Does the author really think that Apple put this much thought into not letting certain journalists into new coverage.

Techniques to control public image over social networks are getting more and more attention. For example academic papers here: [1].

Of course I don't know about Apple in particular, but really doubt that they don't look into this "just because".

[1] http://icdm2012.ua.ac.be/content/session?id=15

[Shamanmuni]

So, are you saying that Apple, probably one of the most secretive and PR savvy companies in the world, doesn't give much thought about its relations with the media? Really?

The article wasn't talking about a conspiracy, read it again. It's just what you said, Apple doing PR control.

If they think that criticisng Apple or its products makes someone a bad journalist or unfair and they are blacklisted, then in actuality they do care a lot about journalists.

A tech journalist is at a disadvantage with the rest if he is denied early access to products, and he won't get that unless he writes pretty things about Apple. We have a word for that: blackmail.

[rpdillon]

If there is one tech company today that is obsessed with managing its PR, from every angle, it has to be Apple. I don't find it far-fetched at all the Apple has put a lot of thought into how to get early favorable reviews from big media. It's the same reason they basically invented the modern theatrical press event: a huge part of what they sell is an image. Managing that image is paramount to their business.

[alan_cx]

"Does the author really think that Apple put this much thought into not letting certain journalists into new coverage. "

Dunno about the author, but me? Absolutely, yes.

Not just Apple either. Probably every large business with a half functioning marketing and PR operation.

Quite right as well. Its their job. Present the product in the best light possible to maximize profits of the owners or share holders. That is the purpose of business.

I make no moral judgement. Its just raw capitalism. The trick is to know this and to never accept a single source, then make a judgement.