How TechCrunch’s back-room deals destroy its credibility

How does this make TechCrunch less credible? Credibility means publishing false information, this only shows how much startups value TC coverage. I see this as VB taking a desperate shot at a competitor.

If the author is trying to imply that TC gives coverage to companies that don't deserve to be covered, then that still does not make the coverage less credible, rather it makes the coverage irrelevant.

Not sure how this email proves a backroom deal - it's a founder saying they bought something and they expect something. Sketchy, but all on the founder's part -- all suppositions to/from the founder, not the publication. Did they even get a story? Doesn't look like it.

This article sort of destroys the credibility of its own publishers, though. An email from a pushy founder doesn't show any guilt on the recipient's side. I would've dug into it a bit more before throwing out accusations. Maybe would've gotten a really good story out of it?

Disclaimer: TC covered our little startup and we were pleased as heck; no payola involved, we're not funded, we're not in any cool kids club. None of the other startup blogs has covered us except in passing once in awhile when referring to the cool kids.

Update: "We’ve pulled this story down after talking further with the startup involved. We apologize to the startup and to TechCrunch."

Flagged -- HN can do better than this. That was a terrible article, and does more to damage VentureBeat's credibility than anything else. Here is an excerpt from the now-deleted article:

"Of course, we have no proof whether TechCrunch was really part of this sort of deal-making. But at least, according to one reading, this start-up thinks that’s the way things work in Silicon Valley."

Translation: in email correspondence they had with a founder, they figured out shoehorn into what he said the idea that he thought he could trade favors for TC coverage. They then wrote up a story slamming this founder and TC, apparently before talking to anybody.

I don't work in the media, but it feels like a serious breach of trust to write an article indicting someone over a flimsy interpretation of something they say to you in a private email.

ironic that in the end Venturebeat destroyed its own credibility

It's been pulled. Anyone have the original?

TC has credibility?

Just pulled.