Its better to keep mum and not admit that Google is not liking the directories. Because once submitters are frightened they will never come back even if Google corrects the SERPS It is a algo change and it is not targeted only at directories but other sites too. Don't let the cat out of the hat
Google has nothing against directories. It does not like any site that is "buying" PR to "resell" that PR via a link for a price. The problem with the directory industry is the ethos of "I need higher PR to charge higher prices" that is the main problem IMO. As for best to keep mum - perhaps a little too late for that - these threads and all kind of blogs are all over the place already. My take is that Goog "knew" that bit would happen