Earlier this week we wrote about the credibility rule when it comes to blogging – and Truthout reporter Jason Leopold’s ability to lose all of that credibility in less than 48 hours.

Now, nearly a week later, Mark Ash, the Executive Director of TruthOut have posted a note offering a ‘partial apology’ for publishing the story.

Now, I know an apology when I see one, and a ‘partial apology’ and ‘being ahead of the news cycle’ doesn’t cut it.

Take a look at the ‘Partial Apology’:

On Saturday afternoon, May 13, 2006, TruthOut ran a story titled, “Karl Rove Indicted on Charges of Perjury, Lying to Investigators.” The story stated in part that top Bush aide Karl Rove had earlier that day been indicted on the charges set forth in the story’s title.

The time has now come, however, to issue a partial apology to our readership for this story. While we paid very careful attention to the sourcing on this story, we erred in getting too far out in front of the news-cycle. In moving as quickly as we did, we caused more confusion than clarity. And that was a disservice to our readership and we regret it.

It’s clear to me what the news is: no indictment.

Self-serving political stories that serve only to support your own view do nothing to improve the cause of bloggers wanting to be treated as journalists rather than as hacks. Shame on you, Jason Leopold. Shame on you, TruthOut. Shame on you, Mark Ash.