Philip Elmer-DeWit over at the Apple 2.0 blog has written a post on the mainstream media and the constant obsession with Steve Jobs’ health and future return to Apple.

The post is in response to several reports from top mainstream publications around the world who have supposedly received confirmation that Steve Jobs will return to Apple at the end of this month.

The first mention of Steve Jobs’ return was in his own memo that announced his medical leave for six months, at the end of the memo Jobs wrote, “I look forward,” adding “to seeing all of you this summer.”

Since that memo Apple has reiterated multiple times that Jobs will return to the company at the end of June, usually with the following thirteen words.

“We look forward to Steve returning to Apple at the end of June.”

Falling fowl of Apple’s consistent statement was UK based The Times who wrote:

“Steve Jobs will return to work at Apple at the end of this month, it was confirmed today…”

According to The Times confirmation comes in the form of an Apple spokesman who said:

“We look forward to Steve returning to Apple at the end of June.”

Seem somewhat familiar?

Luckily The Daily Telegraph didn’t fall down quite so hard, but the sensationalist headline has something to be desired.