The point about internal or "off the record" communications that are leaked having more credibility than press releases is true, whether or not SJ recognizes it. As an employee of an organization (which many people are) you probably view company press releases with a jaundiced eye. In addition Steve saying something to "his people" is qualitatively different. In essence when he is speaking to the employees, he is saying "I screwed up and some senior executives screwed up." If he issues a press release he is saying "Apple screwed up." That is very different from both a credibility and an employee relations standpoint.