"Minimize harm" except for the public good. Watergate, WMDs in Iraq, etc. These are all worthy topics where the general good trump the protection of individuals. These are news.
I have no disillusions that this is not real news. Twitter internal memos are not headline news. But how much of TechCrunch really is? Sure we get some headlines about upcoming features in Apple or Microsoft or Google. But in the big scale of things, it's never going to replace CNN, Reuters or BBC.
Arrington wrote that they are not posting ones that are tabloid-esque in their nature to embarass. So he is attempting to manage the damage while still doing what he does - generate revenue by utilizing what information he is given.
I don't know what files they withheld. My point is that, had the hacker sent this to a real news agency rather than TC, they would have published docs too.
And I wager the discussion on the forums would be more centered around the content rather than the fact that TC dared publish papers.
Lastly, my main thing is this: How is publishing this information different than beating the other sites to news about Apple's big announcement the next day? The information was acquired from an unauthorized source (as most leaks are.)
My point is that, had the hacker sent this to a real news agency rather than TC, they would have published docs too.
And my point is, I'm not so sure you're right. Unless there's actually something newsworthy contained in the documents, I think only the sleaziest news outlets would publish any details at all beyond perhaps the fact that there had been a break-in.
You're correct, not every news outlet would publish them. But I believe more would than wouldn't. Especially in these times of dwindling cash flow, the desire to bring eyes in will bend even the resolute.
I have no disillusions that this is not real news. Twitter internal memos are not headline news. But how much of TechCrunch really is? Sure we get some headlines about upcoming features in Apple or Microsoft or Google. But in the big scale of things, it's never going to replace CNN, Reuters or BBC.
Arrington wrote that they are not posting ones that are tabloid-esque in their nature to embarass. So he is attempting to manage the damage while still doing what he does - generate revenue by utilizing what information he is given.
I don't know what files they withheld. My point is that, had the hacker sent this to a real news agency rather than TC, they would have published docs too.
And I wager the discussion on the forums would be more centered around the content rather than the fact that TC dared publish papers.
Lastly, my main thing is this: How is publishing this information different than beating the other sites to news about Apple's big announcement the next day? The information was acquired from an unauthorized source (as most leaks are.)