Someone writing a story doesn't equate to "media pressure". I could throw my own feces at a canvas and call it art, and SOMEONE would write about it.
It is fine to use media contacts to get a story known, it's NOT ok to go "Hey look, I did this thing, and you should pay attention." It is shady, and goes against the fabric of journalistic integrity.
I don't see how this would be a problem. They could easily just order some pizza and make a day off it, and they wouldn't have to spend a single second doing any sort of serious consideration or even pay attention.
He just gave them maybe a slightly boring day or maybe practically a work-free day. What a rebel.