'Steve Jobs has passed away': CBS network makes embarrassing error reporting Apple CEO's death



CBS News accidentally reported that Apple CEO Steve Jobs had died in a careless post on Twitter.com today.



An account tied to the U.S. network's web series What's Trending, hosted by Shira Lazar, sparked an internet firestorm with a post reading: 'Reports say that Steve Jobs has passed away. Stay tuned for more updates'.



The item was pulled almost immediately but the text can still be viewed on the website, because so many people retweeted it.

Health concerns: Steve Jobs speaks during a special event to unveil the new iPad 2 on March 2, nearly six months before he stepped down as Apple CEO

Moments after the gaffe, an apology appeared.



'Reports of Steve Job's (sic) death completely unconfirmed,' it read.

Ms Lazar, who his also the show's executive producer, followed with an apology.

'On behalf of all of us at @disruptgroup we sincerely apologize for the inaccuracy that was tweeted earlier today.-EP/ Host @WhatsTrending.'

Gaffe: The CBS News web series What's Trending posted an apology moments after the report of Jobs' death

On view: The original tweet can still be seen on the micro-blog because so many others retweeted it

The cryptic post has fuelled speculation as to the state of Jobs' health; the Apple CEO stepped down from the company he founded in his garage in 1976 on August 24,.



He was seen for the first time since his departure in August, his frame looking so incredibly frail it fuelled fears that he was nearing the end in his eight-year battle with the pancreatic cancer.



Jobs made no direct reference to his health problems in his letter of resignation to the Apple board.



He wrote only that he had always said he would step down as CEO if he felt he could no longer do the job to his high standards.

Taking the heat: Shira Lazar, the host and executive producer of CBS News' What's Trending

Oops: Ms Lazar posted an apology after the unconfirmed report was leaked

Jobs had surgery to remove a tumour after being diagnosed with a rare type of pancreatic cancer in 2003 and had a liver transplant two years ago in a further attempt to prevent the spread of the disease.



He went on medical leave in January, but still introduced the second generation iPad a couple of months later and has led the development of the iPhone 5 and iPad3.



On the day Job's announced his resignation, Apple board member Art Levinson, chairman of Genentech, issued the following statement on behalf of the Apple board: 'Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company.



'Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team.'

