PC World editor quits after a dispute

The editor in chief of PC World, a major computer magazine owned by International Data Group of Boston, has resigned in a dispute over an article that criticizes Apple Inc.

Harry McCracken quit after PC World’s recently appointed chief executive, Colin Crawford, halted publication of ‘‘Ten Things We Hate About Apple.’’

‘‘There were questions around the quality of the article, the accuracy of the article,’’ said IDG spokesman Howard Sholkin. ‘‘This is an isolated case. It’s not a policy decision.’’

But according to a PC World writer, McCracken said the story was pulled for fear of offending Apple.

The writer declined to be identified.

In an e-mail message, Crawford denied the magazine pulled the article to mollify Apple. ‘‘Editorial integrity and our product reviews are held in extremely high regard at PC World and we are in no way influenced by advertiser pressure,’’ Crawford said.
(By Hiawatha Bray, Globe staff)