NYT columnist Nocera responds to criticism about off-the-record talk

New York Times business columnist Joe Nocera responded Thursday to criticism that he should have gotten Apple CEO Steve Jobs to talk on the record about his health issues.

Nocera wrote, “I did try to keep the conversation on the record, but again, Jobs is a pro — he knew what he wanted from the conversation before he made the call. He wanted to somehow neuter my column by giving me the information I was digging for. Truth is, he’s talked to quite a few people about his health problems — just not shareholders. So when Jobs said it was off the record or nothing, I had a choice. I could have said, ‘forget it, I’ll go with what I have.’

“Or I could have said — as I did — O.K., you’re holding most of the cards here, so I’ll listen to what you have to say. I had to make a quick decision, and I think I made the right one. But to those who disagree — and think I should have ended the call without getting the off-the-record information — point well taken.”

Read more here. Nocera said he called the Apple PR department after the interview in an attempt to get some of the conversation on the record.