Airline Pilot Central Forums - The Internet and Aircraft Accidents

Not really sure how to start this thread except for a few observations.

-I am grateful that this site exists. I've learned a lot about the big world outside of Alaska 135.
-This site is not secure.
-I like the internet, and the availability of information we have in the free world.

I write the following poorly written thread because I've been amazed at the speed of information flow by watching this site. Illustrated by how quickly references to aircraft mishaps in the last 48 hours have shown up with news links, concern, some few and far between bad feelings and innuendo, etc. on this site.
I have also become a regular viewer of the Professional Pilot's Rumor Network http://www.pprune.org/ , as I'm sure many of you are. Good site, with a worldwide scope of aviation topics.

What strikes me in comparing these two sites, APCF and pprune, is the general lack of speculation on APCF, and the availability of gobs of it on pprune regarding aircraft mishaps. As I type this, the first topic in the "Rumours & News" section of pprune is the Continental mishap in Denver. As it is in APCF's "Major" forum. If you check either of them out, you will find that there's much talk of the accident. Do check it out in order to see what I'm talking about.
There's a difference between the two. Also check out other mishaps referenced on the pprune site. Many seem to be solved by a broad chorus of uninformed and eager posters before the dust settles. Does not seem that way here on APCF.

Another very important (in my opinion) thing that I've noticed from reading a fair amount of pprune threads, is that there is a bit of talk there about media types (outside the US, mostly I think)(as pprune seems to mainly deal with outside North American aviation) trolling pprune for info for their stories. I bet we can agree that the mainstream media's reporting on aviation is pretty dismal and often (if not always) error prone. Screaming of sensationalism. Absolutely awful. While some of the speculation on technical aspects of accidents on pprune is very interesting, and written by aircrew or others familiar with the aircraft type, ops, or location involved, a fair bit is absolute garbage. The crux of my concern is that apparently some media operations- from a goofball with a computer, up to the highest levels of disseminated information, have used information gathered informally from pprune postings and credited it to "aviation experts". Ugh.

Some of the sharp pprune users have "outed" sensational story seekers by subtly "testing" their knowledge of aviation, or the research of earlier (or lack of) posting history from the user who is commenting or enquiring on an incident.

I appreciate APCF using the protocols it does as far as background, but these boards are visible to all with a laptop and a connection. I feel it important that we maintain integrity as far as looking out for accident aircrews and accurate investigation of mishaps, especially when media types may be on the prowl for something to sell a story.

To end- Just wanted to commend the APCF viewers and users for the lack of BS regarding what is properly left to a reasoned, analytical approach to mishaps. More importantly however to mention what I have observed and read about media trolling on the pprune website, and how to possibly be aware of, and to counter, the same.

Not trying to be sensational, or squelch free thought and speculation. Just my observations. I'd appreciate yours too.

Thanks,