DID BLOGGERS TAKE A BITE OF APPLE?

I don't know this particular case too well, but I don't think it should be ok to spread trade and business secrets to the public. Maybe some of you Apple users could tell me more about the story. Is it real confidential information, or only hype and gossip? Is this really a threat to free speech? The big question according to mainstream media seems to be if bloggers could be labeled as journalist or not. What do you think?

Here is an excerpt from Jessi Hempel's article, Are Bloggers Journalists?

However, blogs have also fast gained a reputation for inaccuracy that threatens to erode their writers' claim to the title of journalist. Just as these sites have been touted as the new pillars of American democracy for their ability to ensure that any literate person can publish, they have also proven to be swirling rumor mills. In traditional media, the same legal rights that allow a journalist to protect sources also hold such writers accountable to report the truth. If journalists stray from what's true, they can be charged with libel. (BusinessWeek, 03/07/05.)

The journalist Jonathan Glater of New York Times, chimes in. Here is an excerpt from his article, At a Suit's Core: Are Bloggers Reporters, Too?

In the physical world, being labeled a journalist may confer little prestige and may even evoke some contempt. But being a journalist can also confer certain privileges, like the right to keep sources confidential. And for that reason many bloggers, a scrappy legion of online commentators and pundits, would like to be considered reporters, too. (New York Times, 03/07/05.)