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.
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
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.
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".
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.
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.